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REMINISCENCES 



OF 



ALBANY. 



BY 

JOHN J. HILL 

OF BROOKLYN. 



NEW YORK : 

Printed by John Medoi.k & Son. 

1S84. 



r 



I 















REMINISCENCES 



OF 



ALBANY 



BY 



JOHN J. HILL 



OF BROOKLYN. 



NEW YORK: 

Printed by John Medole & Son. 

1884. 



PREFACE. 



At a meeting of " The Albany Institute," in the month of June, 
1883, upon invitation of Wm. H. Hale, Esq., one of the members, 
I delivered an address intended more particularly than otherwise 
as a narrative of certain events and occurrences relating to and 
connected with the origin of The Young Mens Association of 
Albany. 

In the address I also incidentally reverted to the young men of 
that period who had taken part in its formation. 

The Association had then been in existence nearly half a century, 
and it was in contemplation to celebrate its semi-centennial anni- 
versary in December following. 

Upon receipt of the invitation, I thought it might be interesting 
were I to enlarge the scope of my contemplated remarks, so as to 
include subjects not exactly pertaining to the origin of the As- 
sociation, and thus to embrace a local description and sketch of 
men and things in Albany cotemporaneous with such event, or 
nearly so, but necessarily stretching out and extending to periods 
more or less remote. Pursuing such idea, I included the topics al- 
luded to in the manuscript of the address; but having delivered the 
portion more immediately relating to The Young Mens Association 
I ceased, having previously stated to Mr. Hale my intention to that 
effect. He thereupon informed the meeting, that I had delivered 
only a portion of my written remarks, but if agreeable, he would 
read the residue, and the meeting acquiescing, he did so. 

The entire address as thutj presented before The Institute, re- 
modelled to some extent however, has been made public in the col- 
umns of " The Albany Sunday Argus," in a series of articles com- 
mencing in the month of April last, entitled " Reminiscences of 
Albany." At the suggestion of friends, I have had these articles 
with some amendments and additions printed for private circulation 
in the present pamphlet form. 

My first correspondence with the Editor of the Argus was as 
follows : 

To The Argus : 

In a late article in your columns from the pen of Charles Woodhouse, 
M. D , of Rutland, Vt., he remarked that I had many valuable recollec- 
tions of Albany, and its prominent men in my early life, which he 
hoped would, in some suitable form, be given to the public. These remarks 
allude to the contents of an address delivered at a meetiDg of " The Albany 
Institute," on June 19th, last year, to which I was invited by Wm. H. 
Hale, Esq., of your city, a member of the Institute. 



4 PREFACE. 

The substance of such address, with some necessary modifications, and 
with some additions, in making which I have been much aided by Messrs. 
Woodhouse and Hale, and also by Messrs. Nathan Hawley and Wm. 
Lacy, of your city, has been reproduced in the form of " Reminiscences," 
herewith submitted, trusting you may deem them of sufficient interest to 
be made public through your columns. 

JOHN J. HILL. 

[The Reminiscences are printed in another column. In this connection 
one of Mr. Hill's statements may be corrected. He says that the call for 
a meeting of young men was published in The Argus of December 1, 1833. 
A reference to the files for that year shows the following card in the issue 
for November 30th : 

"DEBATING SOCIETY. 

"The young men of this city favorable to the organization of a society for 
debate and mental cultivation, will meet at the Temperance House, this 
evening, at 1 o'clock. 

" N. B. — The co-operation and aid of the young men of Albany, gener- 
ally, are earnestly requested in this laudable design." 

On Tuesday, December 10, 1883, a report is published in The Argus of 
the proceedings at an adjourned meeting of the society held on the 4th inst. 
An address and a draft of the constitution are printed, signed by the ' 
names of 206 young men, prominent in that day. — En ] 

Hence it appears that I am mistaken in fixing the date of the 
meeting: at the Temperance House, on December 1, 1833, as stated 
in the first number of " The Reminiscences." From the tenor of 
the preceding notice it must have occurred on the evening of No- 
vember 30th. I have not thought it worth while however to make 
the correction, as the foregoing statement affords sufficient ex- 
planation. 

In the fall of 1883, the publication of a series of interesting 
articles from Dr. Woodhouse's pen, entitled '' Recollections of 
Albany from 1827 to 1834," commenced in the columns of "The 
Albany Sunday Argus." in one of which he referred to the contents 
of my address. Dr. Woodhouse was one of the prime movers in 
establishing The Young Mens Association of Albany as alluded to 
in the address, and I trust he may be induced to republish in pam- 
phlet form, his contributions to the columns of The Argus as re- 
ferred to. I am quite nire they will be found to form a valuable 
addition to the annals of local events and incidents occurring in a 
preceding generation, of which but few individuals then in active 
life now remain among us. 

Brooklyn, 1884. 



/ 



REMINISCENCES OF ALBANY. 

BY JOHN J. HILL OF BROOKLYN. 



In an address before the Albany Institute, in June last, I narrated 
most of the events, and alluded to the career of a large majority of the per- 
sons described in these " Reminiscences." I now take occasion to revert 
to my first visit to Albany in 1825 and to relate, that with a few years' 
intermission, I resided there until 1855, during which period I had oppor- 
tunity of witnessing the increase of the city in population and wealth. Pass- 
ing over for the present the interim between 1825, and May, 1831, I. 
further remark, that in or about that month, I became a student in the 
law office of Azor Taber, Esq., located in Backus' Building, on the corner 
of State and James Streets, in your city. Amos Dean afterward became 
associated with Mr. Taber, and the firm was Taber & Dean. 

During my studentship, I had as associate students, Sidney Dean (man- 
aging clerk,), Charles B. Lansing, John C. Yates, son of John V. N. Yates, 
Westerlo Woodworth, son of Judge Woodworth, Henry A. Walker, son 
of Willard Walker, Halsey R. Wing, Wells S. Hammond, son of Judge 
Hammond, of Cherry Valley, and John Yau Yalkenburgh, of Albany 
County. All of these have passed away, except Mr. Lansing, and per-- 
haps Mr. Yan Yalkenburgh, of whom I have not heard for many years, 
and do not know that he ever followed our profession. 

THE YOUNG MENS ASSOCIATION. 

About the time I commenced studying law, I belonged to a debating 
society, which met weekly, by the permission of John Christie, in the school- 
house on the southerly side of Lydius Street, below Green, a one-story 
frame building. The members whom I now recollect were Addison Dough- 
erty, law student; Charles Woodhouse, in the employ of Daniel Curtiss, 
manufacturer of tinware, and the most eloquent of our members, subse- 
quently a Universalist minister in Vermont; Origin A. Kiugsley, law 
student, and others whom I cautiot now call to mind. All of those men- 
tioned are now no more, except Mr. Woodhouse, who is now a practising 
physician in Rutland, Yt. 

John Christie afterward became Secretary of the People's Line of steam- 
boats, and died several years since in Brooklyn. His widow, a daughter 
of William Chapman, who kept a store on the corner of S. Market and 
Division Streets, still survives, and resides in Brooklyn. 

I have been reminded that at the same time I belonged to the Lydius 
Street debating society, I was also a member of another, holding its meet- 
ings in a room on State Street, and composed of law students, among 
whom were Addison Dougherty, Peter Cagger, Alexander W. Bradford 
(afterward Surrogate of the City and County of New York), and some 
others. I feel quite confident that I was so associated with Cagger and 



6 EEMINISCENCES OF ALBANY. 

Bradford, although it might have been at a later period, and also that 
they aided either in originating the Young Mens Association of Albany, 
or became actively interested therein not long after such event; but 
Dougherty was, undoubtedly, one of the prime movers in such origin. 

Dougherty, Woodhouse, and myself were in habits of social intercourse, 
and we met together, Nov. 30, 1833, in Dougherty's office on South 
Market Street, probably by previous arrangement. After deliberating, 
we concluded to make an effort to enlarge the scope and operations of our 
society, by endeavoring to enlist the young men of Albany in some kind of 
an association, embracing not only facilities for debate, but likewise such 
other concomitants as might aid our mental improvement. For myself, I 
admit I did not expect an institution on so extended a scale as the Young 
Mens Association would be the result of our efforts. Its germ was prob- 
ably thus created whence future expansion and development became 
evolved. I felt peculiarly interested in matters pertaining to proficiency in 
forensic procedures which I considered to be one of the great desiderata 
of professional life, and that to attain it, required the pre requisites of 
study and culture. More enlarged views were probably entertained by my 
coadjutors; but be that as it may, we thereupon framed the notices for a 
meeting, to be held next evening, at " The Temperance House," on the 
corner of Steuben and North Market Streets, which then occupied a por- 
tion of the present site of the Delavan. 

One of these notices Woodhouse had inserted in the Albany Evening 
Journal, then edited by Thurlow Weed, and the other I had published in 
the Albany Argus, then edited by Edwin Croswell. The two notices were 
accordingly published, and appeared Dec. 1, 1833, — more than a half a 
century ago ! The purport of these notices was the calling of a meeting of 
all persons favorable to forming a society for debate and mental improve- 
ment. 

I will here observe, that as Woodhouse and myself were on the way to 
the newspaper offices with the notices, we met a young man whom I knew, 
but with whom he was not acquainted, and that I stopped and conversed 
with him, This young man, 1 feel satisfied, was Louis De Witt, then a 
clerk in the Comptroller's office, and from such casual interview, I have 
heretofore inadvertently associated him with the publication of the notice in 
the Journal. 

At the time and place appointed, we had responses to our call, although 
not very numerous. Dougherty, Woodhouse, and myself were there, and 
some other members of our society. Kingsley, I believe, was among the 
number. Robert H. Pruyn was also present, as I have since learned. A 
comparative stranger now appeared upon the scene — Mr. Henry Hart 
(father of Brett HarteJ, then a teacher in the Albany Female Academy, 
which, I believe, was located on North Pearl Street, having removed from 
its old location in Montgomery Street, opposite the present site of the 
Delavan. Mr. Hart was a gentleman of remarkable euergy of character 
and very fair attainments. After the meeting was organized, he addressed 
it, wishing to know whether the sphere of our contemplated operations 
could not be enlarged by adding thereto features of an exteuded literary as 
well as of a forensic character; and he then substantially portrayed and 
exhibited the outlines of that which has since been filled up, vivified, per- 
fected, and consummated as the Young Mens Association of the city of 
Albany. We adopted his suggestions, and committees were appointed on 
the subject; and our subsequent meetings were held to perfect our plans. 



REMINISCENCES OF ALBANY. 7 

From quite meagre beginnings we commenced to increase, and continued to 
enlist quite a number of the then young men of the city as associates in the 
enterprise. I spoke to Mr. Dean on the subject on several occasions, his 
office being on the opposite side of the hall from Mr. Taber's, and he was 
very favorable to the project. Orlando Meads, John Van Buren, Robert 
H. Pruyn, and other prominent young men also became quite interested. 

It was finally arranged to have an election for officers, to be held in the 
Recorder's room, City Hall, which took place accordingly in December, 
1833, Messrs. Dean and Woodhouse were candidates on one of the tickets, 
which was elected. There were some members of the debating societies 
mentioned, who, with myself, were candidates on the other ticket. After 
the election, Mr. Dean was choosen to be the presiding officer of the as- 
sociation. 

Subsequently to that event, the society or association began to assume a 
regularity of procedure, exhibiting elements of solidarity. Our regular 
meetings were held in Knickerbocker Hall, on North Market Street, the 
site of the present premises of E. Corning & Co. We had lectures at 
stated times, upon various subjects. Mr. Dean lectured upon Phrenology. 
He had caused to be made a large plaster bust, nearly the dimensions of 
an ordinary flour barrel, representing the promiueut cranial developments, 
and perhaps the features of the great German metaphysician, Emanuel 
Kant — and the head was all marked out in black lines, denoting the loca- 
tions of intellectual and emotional proclivities, and numbered accordingly. 
This bust was placed on the dais, near the lecturer, for convenient reference. 
Alas! both bust and lecturer exist no more ! They are with things which 
were, but now have passed away from human sight. 

The debating society became a secondary satellite of the institution, 
and the members interested in that department chafed considerably at the 
restrictions under which they were placed. The rules governing the society 
were passed by the " executive committee," who also selected the questions 
for debate. A considerable degree of acrimony was exhibited on many oc- 
casions, and finally in 1835 or '36, the original members of our debating 
clubs dropped off, and ceased to take any particular interest in the associa- 
tion. Political considerations also to some extent seemed to influence the 
members in their actions and proceedings. 

In 1835 the association was incorporated under the title of '* The Young 
Mens Association for mutual improvement, of the city of Albany." I was 
deputy clerk of the Senate at that time, but took no active part in procur- 
ing the charter. 

The only survivors of all those who attended our first meeting at the 
Temperance House, as far as my knowledge extends, consist of Uoctor 
Woodhouse and myself. 

II. 

MY FELLOW-STUDENTS. 

We boys in the office were wont to prefix an R to the prenomen of our 
respected tutor and friend Azor Taber. We called him at times Razor 
Taber, for indeed he had a keen intelligence, understanding, and wit. We 
thought everything of him, and he was to me quite as much of a friend as 
a preceptor. I was in habits of social intercourse with him, staying at his 
home in Albany, and occasionally visiting at the homestead in the town of 



8 REMINISCENCES OF ALBANY. 

Bern, where be was born. He went to bis grave a greatly respected and 
lamented man ! 

As to tbe character of my associate student, Charley Lansing, I will say 
nothing. He is still among and with you; and while we have the motto, 
" De mortuis, nil nisi bonum," we must also remember, that we should not 
extol too highly the virtues of the living. 

Poor Yates died quite young, and before his character became fully de- 
veloped. 

Wes. Woodworth was a man cast in one of nature's best moulds. 
Pleasing in aspect and manners, and possessing conversational powers of 
the highest order, and an intellect quite above mediocrity, " none knew 
him but to love him," and his sad fate has brought "many a tear" in the 
eyes of those who knew him in his expanding manhood, as I did. 

Gus. Walker — what an excellent specimen of our race ! His person 
was tall and masculine, and he was endowed with an intellect of the high- 
est order, and possessed attainments quite equal to any one of his age that 
I knew, and very far above the average graduates of our collegiate institu- 
tions, of which he was one. He was my beau ideal, and I likened his com- 
prehensive mind to that of Daniel Webster, then in his meridian. I be- 
sought him to apply himself to the study of our profession, picturing to him 
a field of future renowu, as the legal problems, which cost the others of us 
much labor to solve, as they occurred from time to time, seemed so easy to 
him as to appear based upon innate or intuitive perceptions. But he would 
not listen to my entreaties. He left Albany, became engaged in mercan- 
tile pursuits in Xew York, and expired in middle life, leaving nothing be- 
hind him but the recollection of his friends, to denote that his was indeed 
(if I may be allowed the phrase), a destiny unfulfilled ! 

Halsey R. Wing (a nephew of Halsey Rogers, of Moreau, a gentleman 
of considerable distinction in his day) was a young man of estimable 
character and disposition — amiable and agreeable in every way. We spent 
many happy hours together. He removed to Buffalo after his admission 
to practice, as near as I can remember, and for many years I have not 
heard of him. 

Wells Hammond was not very long with us. He returned to Cherry 
Valley and died at an early age. 

Ally Bradford ! He was perhaps the " noblest Roman of us all." He 
had a most beautiful and expressive countenance — quite Roman in its cast 
of features. Even before his boyhood passed away, his face was marked 
with the earnest and, at times, pensive expression of manhood. His intel- 
lect was of the first order, and his attainments many and varied, and his 
disposition was most gentle and lovable. He lived to exhibit ths consum- 
mation of his early promise of greatness, at least to a very considerable ex- 
tent. He died in the city of New York, a few years since, and we realize 
that he now resteth from his labors and no more endureth the earthly trials 
of our common humanity, of which indeed he suffered his allotted share. 

Addison Dougherty left this world at middle age. He was amiable and 
companionable, but never displayed any very marked ability. His char- 
acter, however, has been quite fully portrayed by Dr. Wooduouse in one 
of his late contributions to your columns. 

Origin A. Kingsley— I quite lost sight of him. I believe he emigrated 
to one of our western couuties and practised law there. 

Peter Cagger became quite distinguished as a political leader; and, as 
is generally known here in Albany, met with a sudden death whilst riding 






REMINISCENCES OP ALBANY. V 

in the Central Park, New York, in company with John E. Devlin, after at- 
tending the Democratic Convention in Tammany Hall which nominated 
Horatio Seymour for President, Mr. Cagger was a man of marked natu- 
ral ability, both in his profession and as a politician. He came to conclu- 
sions, not by the slow gradations of ratiocination, but rather by the swift 
processes of intuitive conceptions, and he was seldom wrong in his judg- 
ment of men and things. 

Thus I have given you a biographical sketch, derived from the existent 
stores of my memory, which by lapse of time may not be regarded as en- 
tirely reliable, of the youth of the past generation with whom I was iden- 
tified; and of those associated with me in matters relating to the origin 
and formation of the Young Mens Association. 

My ideas at the outset did not lead me to the comprehension of an ex- 
tensive literary institution. I desired to congregate as many of the young 
men as practicable, and to inspire them with the laudable ambition of ex- 
ercising and disciplining their minds, so as to be enabled to discuss orally 
among themselves, aud before audiences, certain given problems and ques- 
tions upon important and interesting topics. I imagined such method of 
procedure would be a desirable auxiliary to mere educational routine, as it 
would necessarily embrace and require : 

First. — A diligent study of the subject, or the speaker would be apt to 
render himself ridiculous. 

Second. — The exercise of the rational faculties in obtaining and weighing 
the facts and reasous pro and con. 

Third. — A facility of expressing ideas, so as to be able to communicate 
intelligibly such facts and reasons to the hearers. 

Fourth. — And as a result, that those of us thus industriously pursuing 
such course of mental discipline, would in due season, acquire useful know- 
ledge, become good logicians, and fitted by oral argumentation to expose 
and dispel many unfounded and irrational conceptions which we believe 
were then, and perhaps are still, extant. I also supposed that such exer- 
cises would tend to impart a power to the pen, and that in writing, as well 
as in oral polemics, our members would be able to detect, and exhibit, 
what we might deem to be fallacies and sophisms, and so far as we might 
consider ourselves to have been enlightened, to be the better prepared to 
impart to others the results of our own cultured experiences. Hence I hoped 
that we might be able to some extent, at least, to lead the public mind in- 
to the true paths of science and knowledge. 

Thus, I may, perhaps, be so far regarded as assisting to originate The 
Young Mens Association, and no further. 

Amos Dean was the first president of the association. His industry, learn- 
ing, aud ability are manifest in the many works he composed. I refer to 
his works on Phrenology, Medical Jurisprudence, and his History of Civili- 
zation. " I knew him well, Horatio," and he was a man of a most serene 
and amiable disposition, never ruffled or ill natured. I was in daily inter- 
course with him for several years, and no stranger would ever have sup- 
posed that the merry, sociable, good-natured person before him, was the 
erudite philospher, scholar, and historian, Amos Dean! " Peace be to his 
ashes I" He has finished his labors, and his work is well done. 

I will here take occasion to recur to the memory of the late Frederick 
W. Cole, who took an active interest in the affairs of the association very 
soon after its organization. He was then a clerk in the office of The Al- 
bany Argus. In early life he became converted, and ever after was quite 



10 EEMINISCENCES OF ALBANY. 

zealous in church affairs. He possessed poetic gifts beyond the ordinary 
standard, and one or more of his productions were read before the as- 
sociation. His theological tendencies however permeated all his poetry, 
and thereby his genius probably became cramped. The soaring eagle can- 
not be restrained by barriers, or circumscribed by bounds without losing 
the scope and grandeur of his flight, and so with true poetic genius. On 
the other hand, it may very well have been, that by indulging his muse in 
spiritual aspirations, he opened the only path wherein his poetic endow- 
ment could have been cultured and developed. 

His " Weeping Willow" is certainly a very chaste, pretty, and touching 
effusion. His biographer has not disclosed the circumstances, if any there 
were, leading to this poetic composition. And yet I can scarcely conceive 
it, as an outgrowth merely of the imaginative faculty. Hence in my dilemma, 
I have mentally recited Hood's celebrated lines : 

" Who was her father. 

Who was her mother, 

Had she a sister, 

Had she a brother, 
Or was there a nearer one, 
Still, and a dearer one, 

Yet, than another." 

I place this poem in the class of the sad and pathetic, and Marc Andre's 
aphorism is applicable and pertinent in this connection : " Poetry is the 
sister of sorrow. Every man that suffers and weeps is a poet, every tear 
is a verse, and every heart, a poem." 

I can scarcely ever peruse the stanzas of " The Weeping Willow," with- 
out having feelings of sympathy excited, and emotions of sadness awaken- 
ed. Hence as George Herbert observes : 

" A verse may find him, whom a sermon flies." 

Perhaps if the name of the subject were different, present associations 
might not be so highly stimulated on reading the poem. I sometimes fancy 
that matronymics (in poetic memoriams) have more to do with exciting our 
emotional sensibilities than patronymics. 

I will rehearse a few of the verses, even at the risk of being regarded 
as tedious — 

THE WEEPING WILLOW. 

In a verdant dell reposing 

Where the grouse in safety flies, 
Frowning hills, the spot enclosing, 

Mary lies. 
Old Schoharie's crazy water 

Rushing o'er the rocks above, 
Seems around her sod to loiter, 

As in love. 
There is one, and but one other 

Grave, with her communion keeps, 
Sweetly there beside her mother, 

Mary sleeps. 

* * * * * * 

Deeply hiding, choicely hoarding 
Grief, men neither feel nor see, 
Nature now alone affording 

Sympathy. 



REMINISCENCES OF ALBANY. 11 

III. 

MEMORY. 

" Lulled in the countless chambers of the brain, 
Our thoughts are linked by many a hidden chain, 
.Awake but one, and lo ! what myriads rise, 
Each stamps its image, as the other flies.'" 

Rogers. 

Fifty years ago ! How long and yet how short the time ! We had, only 
a little while before, emerged from adoleseecce. Our locks were dark and 
plenteous, but now have lost their pristine color and luxuriance. We gaze 
upon our portraits taken only a few years after, and gazing, wonder if our 
hair had ever been' so brown and dark as there depicted, now that our 
image in the mirror shows it to be so thin and blanched ! 

THE MERCHANTS. 

Before I entered Mr. Tabor's office as a law student, I had, for nearly 
three years previous, been engaged as clerk and book-keeper to the firm 
of Rich. Marvin & Co., wholesale dry goods merchants. Their store, at 
first, was in the old Museum building, belonging to the city, or to Yates & 
Mclntyre, situate on the corner of South Market and Hudson Streets, 
Harry Trowbridge kept his museum in the upper stories. Conk ling & 
Herring, in the same line of business as R. Marvin & Co., were our next- 
door neighbors, and McMillan & Bagley (dry goods) kept on the corner. 
Bob Harris, as he was familiarly called, was proprietor of a restaurant in 
the basement, entering on Hudson Street. 

The other wholesale dry goods merchants at that time were : Rufus H. 
King & Co. and Wilder, Hastings & Co., on State Street, the former lo- 
cated on the north side, near James Street, and the latter on the south side, 
corner of State and Green Streets. Jacob H. Ten Eyck & Co. and Peter 
& John I. Boyd, both located on South Market Street, and James Clark 
& Co., located in Douvv's (old) building at the corner of South Market 
and State Streets. At or about that time, however, Anthony M. Strong 
became the successor of James Clark & Co., and he subsequently was 
a copartner of Richard Marvin & Co., and at a later period, established the 
firm of A M. Strong & Co. Taber & Marks — the latter a former clerk 
of Richard Marvin & Co. — occupied this store after Mr. Strong had va- 
cated it. I knew personally every member of these respective firms. 
Thomas Herring, a brother of William, was a clerk to the firm of Conkling 
& Herring, and he was my intimate friend. This firm moved to New 
York, and Thomas located himself in New Jersey, and became a State 
Senator there. He died only a few years since. Richard Marvin and his 
partner, Wm. Smith, are now no more. Mr. Marvin was my best and 
earliest frieud, 1 say best, because the earliest. Left an orphan at an 
early period of life, he assumed and controlled for my benefit certain re- 
sponsibilities to a very considerable amount, besides furnishing me with the 
means of attaining my profession. The money thus generously advanced, 
I subsequently paid to his executor. I always pause at his last resting- 
place in the Rural Cemetery, and memory recalls the image and benevo- 
lence of my benefactor. He was one of "Nature's noblemen ! " He lived 
and died a bachelor; and many persons attained wealth and competency 



12 REMINISCENCES OF ALBANY. 

by and through him. His memory I shall ever cherish, and I trust it will 
never be erased till I myself shall be " to dumb forgetfulness a prey ! " 

I cannot now bring to mind any other large houses in the wholesale dry 
goods business, except Chandler Starr, who, I think, was at that time about 
retiring. I know as now existent of all the members of these firms only 
A. M. Strong, Wm N. Strong, A. B Marks, and perhaps Mr. Henry 
Bleecker, of R. H. King & Co. I saw him a few years since, but I latterly 
have quite lost sight of him. 

The Marvin family were quite a remarkable set of men. There were 
John, Uriah, William, Alexander, and Richard. There was also a sister. 
Mrs. Phebe Gregory. They were natives of Lyme, Connecticut. They 
all married, except Richard, and he, I think, possessed the finest and most 
cultivated intellect of the family. He wrote occasionally for the public 
prints, and his articles received considerable attention at the time. He was 
also an excellent merchant and financier. Alexander had more depth of 
intellect than Richard, and was a better logician, but he did not possess 
the suavity of manner, or the literary ability of his brother. John, 
William, aud Alexander were engaged in the wholesale grocery business, 
and each made a fortuue. Uriah was a lumber merchant, but not so suc- 
cessful as his brothers. Considered as an integer, this family exhibited the 
peculiar traits, characteristics, and tendencies indicative of their Puritan 
lineage and early training. Their good names and unblemished reputations 
are cherished by their relatives, aud will not cease to be remembered by 
those who knew them. 

E. C. & W. Mcintosh, South Market, and Gregory & Bain, North 
Market Streets, and Webb & Dummer, of State Street, were the only 
wholesale crockery merchants then, that I can call to mind. Mr. Gregory 
was brother-in-law of the Marvins. E. C. Mcintosh afterward became 
president of the Mohawk & Hudson Railroad Company. 

The leading produce merchants were Sylvanus P. Jermain, John Dows 
(or Dows & Cary), Wm. & Clark Durant, Wm. & John Newton, 
Willard Walker, and Elisha Pratt. 

The large wholesale grocery houses then were : 

Wm. Cook & Co., Hudson Street; A. Marvin & Co., S. Market Street; 
George W. Stanton and Batchelor & Sherman, State Street; Wilson & 
Monteath, successors to Wilson & Badgley, and Rathboue & Chapiu, Quay 
Street; Mancius & Le Breton, corner of S. Market aud State Streets, and 
Daniel Wilcox, S. Market Street; Joshua Tuffts, J. & R. F. Slack, Gran- 
ville Slack, N. & C. Scovill, J. & G. M. Sayles, all, I believe, located on 
or near Quay Street. Mr. Tuffts and those subsequently above men- 
tioned, or some cf them, were, I think, engaged in the produce and commis- 
sion business. I was acquainted with all the persons composing these firms, 
and I know of no survivor, although Mr. Sherman (a descendant of Roger 
Sherman or of his family) was then comparatively a young man. 

The only wholesale lumber merchants I knew, were Hill & Sanford, 
Whitlock & Fassett, Wm. H. Ross, and Uriah Marvin. Benj. Gregory 
(father of Dudley S. Gregory, now deceased, who resided in Jersey City 
and became mayor thereof ) had been in the lumber business for many 
years; but I believe had retired at the time alluded to. None of them are 
now in existence. 

All of these merchants were men of enlarged business views and mercan- 
tile sagacity, and I believe all were successful in business, except Mr. Wil- 
cox, who, I think, met with reverses. 



REMINISCENCES OP ALBANY. 13 

The leading hardware merchants at that time were Spencer Stafford & 
Co., E. Corning & Co., and Benedict & Roby, on S. Market Street; Steele 
& Warren on S. Market Street, near Beaver (Mr. Warren was the father of 
Geo. Wm. Warren, the celebrated organist and composer, now residing in 
the city of New York, who was the original matstro of Dr. Hinckley's 
daughter Isabella, the well-known cantatrice, who married Susini the vocal- 
ist, and died soon after), and N. B. Miles, on State Street, who occupied 
the site of the present Mechanics & Farmers' Bank building. I cannot now 
recollect any others. Mr. Corning afterward became distinguished as a 
merchant, financier, and public official. He was mayor of your city, and 
also a member of Congress. The late Marcus T. Reynolds once said to 
me that Mr Corning was a man possessing more executive ability than any 
one he ever knew. I became acquainted with Mr. Corning at a very early 
date, and in 1853, when he was elected member of Congress on the Demo- 
cratic ticket, I was a candidate for member of Assembly for Third District 
on a like ticket. He has passed away from among you at no very distant 
period; and I, therefore, refrain from any further remarks, except here 
and now to bear testimony to his good name and reputation, and to bring 
to your attention his remarkable ability and qualifications. I knew all 
these gentlemen, except Mr. Roby. 

Isaiah & John Townsend carried on a large iron trade on State Street. 
The junior partner was elected and served as mayor of the city. They 
were highly esteemed citizens, and have been dead many years. 

THE BREWERS. 

There were then extant and in operation five quite extensive brewing 
establishments in the city. One on S. Ferry Street, near Green, founded 
by Robert Boyd (grandfather of the distinguished young divine, Charles 
Cuthbert Hall, of Brooklyn); another on Green Street, near Lydius, car- 
ried on by Taylor & Howard (ne Fidler); another located en N. Market 
Street, in the Colonie, of which Robert Dunlop was the proprietor; an- 
other, on the same street, opposite N. Ferry Street, owned by Andrew 
Kirk ; and the last of the five was situate on Dean Street, opposite Stan- 
wix Hall, of which Barker & Pruyu were proprietors, the firm was after- 
ward succeeded by Eggleston & Putnam. 1 do not remember of any 
others being then in existence. John McKnight did not commence the 
brewing business until some time after, and he survived all the others, al- 
though Mr. Barker lived to be quite an old man. Mr. McKnight died 
some time ago. I was well acquainted with all these men. 

THE BANKS. 

There were in Albany at that time, fifty years ago, but five bauks. The 
Bank of Albany, Bareut Bleecker, president. The Mechanics & Farmers 
Bank, Thomas W. Olcott, cashier, afterward president. The New York 
State Bank, John M. Yates, cashier. The Commercial Bank, Joseph 
Alexander, president. The Canal Bank, John T. Norton, president. 

Mr. Olcott was a gentleman of very rare financial ability, standing in 
that respect atnoug the foremost in our country. He is so well known 
among you, and having departed this life so very recently, it would be in- 
trusive on my part to attempt any further to portray his character. Suffice 
it to say that I became acquainted with him more than half a century 
since, and I saw him at the bank for the last time about two or three 
years ago. 



14 REMINISCENCES OF ALBANY. 



THE NEWSPAPERS. 



The only daily newspapers then published were The Albany Daily Ad- 
vertiser, Simeon DeWitt Bloodgood and John Bleecker Van Schaick, edi- 
tors; The Albany Argus, Edwin Croswell, editor; The Albany Evening 
Journal, Thurlow Weed, editor, and The Microscope (weekly), Henry D. 
Stone, editor. Mr. Hugh Hastings, late proprietor of the Commercial 
Advertiser (New York), was then engaged in the printing office of the 
Journal, and he subsequently established The Knickerbocker; Mr. Hast- 
ings has died since the delivery of the Address. Mr. George Jones, of 
the New York Times, did not come to Albany until a later period. He 
and Mr. Stone are now living; the others are no more. 

Mr. Bloodgood possessed greater literary attainments and a more culti- 
vated taste than either of his cotemporary editors — Messrs. Croswell and 
Weed — but he did not equal them in terseness and force of expression. 

Mr. Croswell stood among the foremost and ablest political editors of 
his day. He then possessed a vast influence in State and National affairs. 

Mr. Weed was a more pungent and caustic writer than his compeers; 
and, at a subsequent period, wheu our national disturbances occurred, he 
became one of the leadina: men of the country. For a time, he exercised 
more influence, perhaps, than any one individual in the direction of political 
and public concerns. 

Mr. Stone's paper was mostly engaged in the publication of matters 
pertaining to social and local affairs. 

I was on terms of personal intimacy with all these gentlemen, and am 
still so with Mr. Joues, but Mr. Croswell was rather my favorite. And 
I here take occasion to make favorable mention of his cousin, Sherman 
Croswell. He was reporter for The Argus, and was one of the most kind 
and amiable persons I ever knew. I came considerably in contact with 
him, as I was then somewhat identified with political and official affairs. 
His labors were always well performed, and in our State, he was almost as 
widely known as his cousin, Edwin. He also has passed away. 
i 

IV. 
THE PHYSICIANS AND DENTISTS. 

Our leading physicians at that period were Doctors Eights, Townsend, 
Wendell, Wing, Barent, and Peter Staats (the former once mayor of 
Albany), James and Peter McNaughton (the former was my family phy- 
sician, and my client and friend), March, Hun, Boyd, Peter and Henry 
Yau Olinda, Hinckley, and Payu. I knew them all. The memoriams of 
James McNaughton and Rums W. Peckham are placed side by side in my 
library. Occasionally I take them out and view their well-known linea- 
ments on the frontispieces, and then I again realize the force of the 
couplet : 

" Our thoughts so linked by many a hidden chain, 
If only one awake, lo ! myriads follow in its train." 

All have departed from earth except Dr. Hun. Dr. Boyd being the 
last survivor of the others. They belonged to the old school of medical 
practice, as Hahnemann's system had then but scarcely appeared in 
Albany. 

Doctors Davison, Thompson, and Cooke were specialists, and were not 



REMINISCENCES OF ALBANY. 15 

regarded as entirely orthodox in their respective therapeutic modes and 
practice. Dr. Cooke was quite a philanthropist in his way; among other 
things aiding some young men to become physicians. 

The only dentists I knew then were Doctors Douglass, Newcombs 
(brothers), and the brothers Robert and Alexander Nelson. Robert died 
about sixteen years ago. Alexander still survives and resides in Pitts- 
field, Mass. I became acquainted with the Messrs. Nelson quite half a 
century since, and our intimacy continued until Robert's death, and yet 
continues with the survivor and the family of the deceased. In ability and 
skill the Messrs. Nelson ranked among the highest of their profession. 

THE DIVINES. 

Our prominent divines, as near as I can recollect, were Doctors Ludlow 
of the North Dutch Church, Ferris of the South, Campbell, Sprague, 
Kirk, and Huntington of the Presbyterian, Lacy of the Episcopal (father- 
in-law of the late R. W. Peckham), and Welch of the Baptist — by whom 
I was married in 1840 — Mayer of the Lutheran, and Williamson of the 
Universalist. I was more or less acquainted with all these ministers. I 
do not remember who preached in the Methodist churches in Division and 
North Pearl Streets. At this time I believe the Rev. Mr. Garfield was 
the principal of a female seminary on Division Street, but he did not per- 
manently officiate in any of the churches. The clergy of the Roman 
Catholic churches I was not acquainted with, and of the Covenanter per- 
suasiou I knew only the Rev. James R. Wilson. 

In those days I frequently attended divine service in the First Presby- 
terian Church, then on the corner of Green and Beaver Streets, of which 
Rev. John N. Campbell officiated as pastor, and I have often heard him 
preach. I regarded him as a very learned theologian, coupled with an 
acute legal and logical method of thought and expression. His premises 
and theses being conceded, he inferred conclusions so well founded as to 
render any denial or proof of a " non sequitur " (it does not follow) a mat- 
ter of very serious if not insurmountable difficulty. His sermons were 
generally classified under appropriate heads, and his reasonings thereupon 
were of the closest order. With the precision of a jurist he laid down his 
propositions, and then deduced the desired results. Easy, graceful, and 
fluent in his manner and elocution, and possessing an adequate command 
of the best diction appropriate to the subject and occasion, his discourses 
exhibited oratorical powers and intellectual endowments of a very superior 
grade. I am quite sure I err not in placing John N. Campbell among the 
most distinguished divines of his time. He was rather tall and spare in 
figure with a countenance quite classical, resembling that of my old friend 
Ally Bradford, and the features of each were not unlike those exhibited on 
the marble busts of Cicero and Titus in the gallery of the Astor Library. 

Rev. Wm. B. Spraizue, as a preacher, displayed talents and theological 
proclivities of a somewhat different character from those which I have at- 
tributed to Doctor Campbell. His sermons appealed rather more to the 
feelings and emotions than to subjects of a doctrinal or argumentative 
character. They were quite devotional and scriptural in their tone, and in 
their language and composition evinced classical and literary attainments 
of a high order. I was always inclined to believe that the literary acquire- 
ments of Dr. Sprague exceeded those of Dr. Campbell, and this assertion 
may veceive weight by recurring to some of the more important published 



16 EEMINISCENCES OP ALBANY. 

works of the former, viz.: " Visits to European Celebrities," and " Annals 
of the American Pulpit," 8 volumes, a very valuable work. Dr. Sprague 
possessed cpiite a tall and commanding person, and although as an orator, 
I think he did not rank very high, yet his deliveries from the pulpit were 
ever fluent, impressive, and interesting. He officiated for many years in 
the Second Presbyterian Church in Chapel Street above Maiden Lane. 

Reverend Edward N Kirk, in the exercise of his ministerial duties and 
labors, manifested mental and dispositional traits and peculiarities quite 
dissimilar in character to those attributed respectively to the preceding 
divines. His manner in the pulpit was ever earnest, impressive, and en- 
ergetic. On some occasions his exhortations became quite zealous and 
fervent; and whilst to some extent partaking of the nature of supplication 
and entreaty, yet at the same time presenting features of warning, and 
also of imprecation in cases of disobedience or indifference. I have a recol- 
lection of the occurrence of one or more revivals in his church (the 4th 
Presbyterian on North Market Street). All such sinners as crossed his 
path, or became subjects of his expostulations, particularly at those times, 
were quite summarily dealt with, providing they failed to abandon their 
evil ways, and to become converted forthwith under the pressure of his in- 
exorable scriptural edicts and invocations, '• Sinners ! hasten to be wise," 
seemed to be the theme of his ardent entreaties, and the ostensible object 
of his zealous labors. Mr. Kirk was a man of very ardent an! sincere 
convictions and temperament, and displayed marked ability in his vocation; 
and he attained considerable popularity at one time in his Albany ministry. 

I quote from a letter on this subject received from a friend in Albany.* 

" Mr. Kirk was the first pastor of the 4th Church, and it was built for 
him, because of his extreme opinions. They were very positive, and were 
emphasized by a fervor and strength of language at times rather inelegant 
and brusque. This defect, which naturally arose from a limited education, 
so far as style and elegant expression are concerned, he became quite 
sensible of when he entered Boston society, where the cultivation of liter- 
ature is a necessary coudition of acceptance. He thus realized when he 
was at fault; and by assiduity so corrected such deficiency, that he subse- 
quently became celebrated for the beauty of his style and felicity of his 
expression. I cannot say when he died, but it was some years ago. He 
resigned his pastorate in Albany, March 14, 1838, when I presume he 
went to Boston." 

Messrs. Ludlow, Ferris, Huntington, Lacy, and Meyer were all men of 
learning and ability in their respective denominational spheres, but exhibit- 
in^ no peculiarly marked characteristics in any particular direction as far 
as my knowledge extends. 

Reverend Bartholomew T. Welch was a man who possessed extraordi- 
nary endowments as a preacher and orator. He had beeu engaged in me- 
chanical pursuits at the commencement of his career, and had not received 
the advantage of an early liberal education. But, perhaps, the very fact 
of such deprivation made his eloquence possess a more fervid and glowing 
character. It is said, " Poeta nasatwr, orator fit" (a poet is born a poet, 
but an orator is made so). This maxim, however, does not apply in Mr. 
Welch's case. He seemed to have been born an orator, and not to have 
been made so by study and discipline. In the pulpit with upraised eyes 
and thus facing the congregation, I have on many occasions heard effusions 
of the most impassioned, fervent, and beautiful language, sentence after 
* Henry Q. Hawley. 



REMINISCENCES OF ALBANY. 17 

sentence, flow spontaneously from his lips without any apparent effort or 
premeditation whatever. Such effusions appealed strongly to the emotions 
and seusibilities of his hearers, and were more or less founded upon scriptu- 
ral allusions and texts appropriate to the subject of his discourse. But not 
always so, for at times they were made up of expressive and pertinent 
rhetorical illustrations of much beauty and force. I scarcely ever heard 
Mr. Welch preach that he did not in the course of his sermon introduce • 
some very beautiful ideas clothed in rich and exuberant language Mr 
Welch officiated for many years in the Old Green Street Baptist Church' 
and subsequently m the new church edifice on the corner of Maiden Lane 
and North Pearl Streets. 

I have frequently heard Mr. John B. Gough, the celebrated temperance 
advocate, on his giving a public lecture, and I assimilated him to Mr. 
Welch m the force and elegance of his language, and in the ease and fluency 
or his elocution. J 

Rev Isaac D. Williamson then officiated in the Universalist Church on 
Ureen Street. I heard him preach there on several occasions, and my re- 
membrances are that his discourses impressed me at the time as evincing 
oratorical and intellectual ability of a high order, and he was conceded!? 
one of the ablest men of his persuasion. He remained in Albany only a 
few years, and I had not a personal acquaintance with him sufficient to en- 
able me to form any very reliable estimate of his works and character I 
knew Dr.Woodhouse had been intimate with him, and had the means 
ot supplying such information as might be interesting in a general way, as 
well as to Mr. Williamson's friends and acquaintances. I therefore ap- 
plied to the doctor, and the following memoir is almost wholly derived from 
a letter written to him by Miss Ada Moore, a granddaughter of Mr Wil- 
liamson . 

T'v ?® V ', I «* D - Williamson - D.D., was bom in Pomfret, Conn., in 1807 
and died in 1876, in the 70th year of his age. He went to Albany in 183o' 
and remained there seven years, and afterward settled in Poughkeepsie' 
Baltimore .New York, Mobile, Memphis, Lowell, Lonisville, Cincinnati! 
and Philadelphia, and presided over congregations in each of those places 
respectively During the course of his long ministry he preached 4 000 
sermons l<or 40 years he was counected editorially with religious jour- 
nals and wrote and published nine works, viz.: "An Argument for Chris- 
tianity, Endless Misery Examined and Refuted," "An Exposition and 
Defence of Universahsm," " Sermons for the Times and People," "The 
Crown of Life " " The Vision of Faith," " The Rudiments of Theology »— 
this work, as I am told, presents disquisitions quite metaphysical in their 
character and displays a comprehensive understanding of metaphysical 
niTST ie f hll 2f P h y of Universalism." and "The Philosophy of 
Odd Fellowship." Ihus it is quite apparent, that further comment up- 
on the learning and ability of this distinguished divine is rendered super- 
fluous, lhe foregoing recital of his works, and labors, and cotempora- 
neous public sentiment, are quite sufficient to establish his high merit as an 
author and scholar. 

Afriend of Mr Williamson* has written to me as follows: "As to 
Kev. Isaac D. Williamson, I will say that his reputation in the denomina- 
tion as a controversialist was high, and I think he was considered to be 
an able metaphysician. I know that he and Dr. Sawyer, then and now 
one ot the ablest and most learned, as well as one of the most scholarly 

* Nathan Hawley. 

2 



18 REMINISCENCES OF ALBANY. 

men in the same denomination, held different views in regard to Free Will, 
or man's free agency, and they carried on a controversy in the papers about 
it for a considerable time, but the subject was finally dropped. The con- 
troversy was carried on in the denominational papers, but I am not aware 
that it ever went into book form. The Christian Leader, theu published in 
New York, was Dr. Sawyer's medium I think. At all events all the 
articles appeared in that paper, which is now issued in Boston." 

Without possessing any definite knowledge as to the cogency of the 
arguments pro and con presented in the controversy above portrayed, I will 
nevertheless venture this opinion upon general principles — that the adher- 
ents of both these controversialists, in that famous dispute, were re- 
spectively actuated by the motto of Hudibras — 

" He that complies against bis will, 
Is of his own opinion still — " 

and hence the Free Will-mi continued to retain his liberty, and the Pre- 
destined Will-\an to enjoy the pleasures of his semi-fatalism. 

Dr. Williamson was of medium height, dark hair, somewhat erect upon 
his head, and which early assumed a grayish appearance, eyes mild but 
penetrating, prominent features, and high forehead. His movements were 
slow and measured, and he possessed a self-command enabling him properly 
to meet any ordinary emergency. 

THE PRINCIPALS OF ACADEMIES. 

Over our educational institutions presided Theodore Romeyn Beck, 
author of a work on medical jurisprudence, and Alonzo Crittenden, both 
of whom I well knew. Doctor Beck was the principal of the Albany 
Academy (for boys), and Mr. Crittenden of the Albany Female Academy. 

Dr. Beck has been dead many years, but Mr. Crittenden survived until 
1883, when he died in Brooklyn, whither he had come to take charge of the 
Packer Institute, located in that city. The learning and character of 
these distinguished men need no encomiums from me. 

THE POLITICIANS. 

The leading politicians at that time were Edwin Croswell, William L. 
Marcy, Benjamiu Knower (Gov. Marcy's father in-law), Azariah C. Flagg, 
John A. Dix, Silas Wright, Benjamin F. Butler, Charles E. Dudley, James 
Porter (Register in Chancery), Dr. Peter Wendell, and Thomas W. 01- 
cott. Mr. Weed used to designate these gentlemen as " The Albany Re- 
gency," thereby indicating that they directed and controlled the political 
destinies of our State. Mr. Croswell was the editor of The Argus; Mr. 
Marcy was governor, and Mr. Flagg, comptroller of the State. Messrs. 
Wright and Dudley then were or had been United States Senators, and 
the latter had been mayor of your city. Mr. Olcott was cashier of the 
Mechanics & Farmers' Bank. I was acquainted with all of them. Mr. 
Olcott was the last survivor. 

THE ARTISTS. 

The most noted portrait painter in Albany then, and. whose works adorn 
the walls of our State capitol, was the late Ezra Ames, father of the late 



REMINISCENCES OF ALBANY. 19 

Julius Ames, author of "The Spirit of Humanity" and the "Bible of 
Nature." His other sou, Col. Angelo Ames, still survives, and is one of your 
most estimable citizeus. Mr. Ames' daughter married the Rev. Win . James, 
son of the late Win. James, of Albany, and oue of their daughters is the 
widow of the late Isaac Edwards. 



THE LAWYERS. 

The leading members of my profession about that period were Abraham 
Van Vechteu, Peter Gansevoort, James McKown, Marcus T. Reynolds, 
Samuel Stevens, John C Spencer, Azor Taber, Julius Rhoades, Benjamin 
F. Butler, Dutcher & Harris, George & Rufus W. Peckham, Van 
Vechten & Davis, Henry G. Wheaton, Peter Seton Henry, John V. N. 
Yates, G. Y. & C. Y. Lansing, Edward Livingston, Eldad Worcester, 
James Edwards, William W. Frothingham, and Thomas W. Harman. 

I feel justified in observing that " there were legal giants in those days." 
Mr. Van Vechten was then quite advanced in years. He had been at- 
torney-general of the State, and his portrait can now be seen on the walls 
of the State capitol. In pleasant weather I often saw the old gentleman 
sitting on the porch of his residence on North Market Street. His son, 
Ten Broeck, subsequently became a successful lawyer, and was associated 
with Mr. Rhoades, and was the father of Abraham Van Vechten, one of 
your much respected citizens. 

Gen. Peter Gansevoort was a State senator in 1835. He had pre- 
viously been appointed brigadier-geueral by Gov. Clinton. I saw him fre- 
quently in the Senate chamber that year, and became his law partner dur- 
ing its session. From that period until his decease, our friendship con- 
tinued unabated. He was an excellent lawyer, both in law and equity 
procedures. He possessed a comprehensive mind, and a clear perception 
and judgment. He went to the grave at a ripe age, beloved and 
mourned by his family, and greatly respected and esteemed by his friends 
aud the community in which he had lived. 

Mr. McKown was then recorder of the city. Before entering a law of- 
fice, I was in the habit of going to the court iu the evenings, to hear him 
speak iu cases in which he appeared as counsel. He was a lawyer of 
eminent ability, and I respected and admired him, both as a man and a 
jurist. When appearing before him professionally in my earlier practice, I al- 
ways received respectful consideration, and afterward was enabled to re- 
ciprocate to some extent his exhibitions of good will toward me. Shortly 
after that time (which, as generally used in my remarks, refers to the date 
of the inception of the Youug Mens Association), the late John Van Buren 
became a law partner of Mr. McKown. It is scarcely necessary for me to 
repeat what is well known here and elsewhere, that Mr. Vau Buren possess- 
ed remarkable oratorical powers, was deeply versed in the political history 
of the United States; and as a counsellor and advocate, reached a very ele- 
vated standard. He was indeed a highly gifted man ! 

Mr. Reynolds was a lawyer of exceeding ability. He had but few equals 
at the bar, aud no superiors. He seemed to have been made for the law; 
and his great learning and acumen appeared rather to have been the spon- 
taneous gifts of nature than as results merely acquired by study anddis- 



20 REMINISCENCES OF ALBANY. 

cipline. Cool, sagacious, witty, and logical, it always afforded me gratifi- 
cation and instruction to be present when he was engaged in the trial of 
causes. No matter how dry and uninteresting the merits of the case might 
be, he always managed to make it interesting in some way; and at times 
quite amusing. His features were regular and handsome, and bore resem- 
blance to those of Henry Clay, as I imagined; and his intellectual traits 
predominated over those of the emotional. At his sallies of wit, the judge, 
bar, and audience could not at times suppress their risibilities, whilst he 
himself was quite impassive and unmoved, except to appear as rather sur- 
prised at the denouement. He lived to a good old age; but in his de- 
clining years gave up the practice of his profession. Our Supreme Court re- 
porter, Marcus T Hun, is a grandson of Mr. Reynolds. 

Mr. Stevens, in contrast, was a lawyer of very comprehensive attainments, 
which, however, seemed rather as exhibitions of industry and study, coupled 
with a capacity to reach clear and logical deductions, than as unpremeditated 
presentations. As a counsellor and advocate upon questions of a purely 
legal aspect, he was not inferior to Mr. Reyuolds, and second to few, if any, 
lawyers in our country. But he had not the quick, comprehensive genius 
and sparkling wit of the latter. He possessed a " great heart," and was uni- 
versally beloved and respected. I had the privilege of classing him as well 
as his brother Cyrus in the category of my friends. Cyrus was not equal 
to his brother as a general lawyer, but was regarded as high authority in 
chancery jurisprudence. Discarding theological peculiarities as connected 
with the names and works of Voltaire and Gibbon, 1 assimilated Mr. 
Reyuolds in many of his mental characteristics to Voltaire, and Mr. S. 
Stevens, in like manner, to Gibbon. I quote from Byron : 

"Lausanne and Ferney, ye have been the abodes 
Of names, which unto you bequeathed a name, 

****** 

The one (Voltaire) * * in mind — 

Gay, grave, and sage, * * * 

The other (Gibbon), deep, slow, exhausting thought, 

And hiving wisdom with each studious year, 

In meditation dwelt, with learning wrought." 

Although by way of episode rather than as immediately conuected with 
the narrative of local events and individuals embraced in the address, I 
cannot here refrain from alluding to the late Henry R. Storrs, of Utica, 
whose great ability in our profession was a matter of general repute. I 
heard him speak on one occasion only, which was in 1836, when as couusel 
for John C. Kemble, of Rensselaer County, and Isaac W. Bishop, of 
Washington County, both of whom were then State senators, he addressed 
that body on behalf of his clients. 

The circumstances of the case were as follows : These two senators had 
in some manner become complicated with Henry Bartow, cashier of the 
Commercial Bank of Albany, in certain transactions relating to the stock 
of the New York & Harlem Railroad, in which funds of the bank had 
been employed. The price of the stock broke on the market, and serious 
losses were sustained by the bank. Mr. Bartow fled to Texas, and died 
and was buried ihere. At a subsequent period Hamilton W. Robinson, at 
the instance of the counsel of the bank, went to Texas, identified the re- 
mains of Mr. Bartow, and, I believe, brought them to Albany. 

Under a resolution of the Senate, a committee of inquiry was appointed, 
of which Samuel Young, of Saratoga, was chairman. I was deputed to 



EEMINISCENCES OF ALBANY. 21 

take the testimony before the committee, which 1 did. The report was 
condemnatory of the actions and proceedings of the two senators, and it 
was upon the coming in and consideration of it, that I heard Mr. Storrs 
address the Senate. Mr. Kemble resigned his seat before the question 
was taken. A resolution censuring Mr. Bishop was passed by the Senate. 
A motion to expel him was negatived however, but he shortly afterwards 
resigned his seat. 

As my recollection now serves me, both Mr. Reynolds and Mr. Stevens 
were professionally connected with the case, and were present at the argu- 
ment. On hearing the address of Mr. Storrs I became impressed with the 
opinion that in point of legal ability and forensic attainments, he was the 
equal of the two eminent counsel just named, and the peer of any other 
public speaker I had ever heard. 

I listened with fixed attention to Mr. Storrs' argument, and having taken 
down the testimony, I presumed myself to be competent, to some extent at 
least, to appreciate the force of his logic, and the pertinency of his remarks. 
He spoke earnestly and forcibly, but without any apparent effort. His 
language flowed spontaneously, his periods were well rounded, and to my 
mind quite faultless in diction and construction. Mr. Storrs died suddenly 
at New Haven the ensuing year. I have listened to many distinguished 
public speakers duriug my life, but none in my judgment, who, in compara- 
tive excellence, surpassed the great ability of Mr. Storrs as an advocate 
and orator. 

I have heard ex-Governors Seward and Young, both very distinguished 
speakers, also Joshua A.Spencer, and Samuel Beardsley, of Utica, Samuel 
Young, of Saratoga, John Sudani, of Ulster, and Albert H. Tracy, of 
Buffalo, each possessing oratorical gifts of a high character. Of the 
Philadelphia bar I have heard speak, — Horace Binney, John Sergeant, 
George M. Dallas, David Paul Brown, and Joseph R. Ingersoll. All these 
eminent jurists and orators have passed away. Mr. Binney dying in 1875 
at the age of 94, and beimr the last survivor. In their prime they were 
the great lawyers and speakers of their bar. 

Horace Binney was a forcible, earnest, sententious, and impressive ora- 
tor. He was rather tall in person and his appearance denoted the eminent 
ability he possessed. He was generally placed at the head of the Philadel- 
phia bar. In some respects that position was due to him; and yet, con- 
cededly as a mere jurist, he ranked no higher, nor perhaps as high, as Mr. 
Sergeant, who was a very profound lawyer. 

John Sergeant was about the middle height, was delicately formed, and 
of sallow complexion, with dark hair and eyes, thus betokening, what 
phrenologists call a bilious temperament. He was a .cool, logical, and 
ordinarily an unimpassioned speaker, appealing more to the understanding 
than to the emotions, although when aroused in the course of his argu- 
ment, his appeals became quite eloquent and effective. He was profoundly 
learned in his profession, and always mastered the subject under considera- 
tion. 

Mr. Charles Chauncey was at that time one of the leading members of 
the Philadelphia bar. The Forensic Triumvirate consisted of Biuney, 
Chauncey, and Sergeant. I knew Mr. Chauncey personally, but never 
happened to hear him speak in court. 

George M. Dallas was above the medium stature, with a clear and 
rather florid complexiou, somewhat robust in person, and a very hand- 
some man. His oratory was of a chaste and beautiful character, and ap- 



22 KEMINISCENCES OF ALBANY. 

peared as quite natural and unstudied. I thought it more classical and 
elegant than the deliveries of Biuney and Sergeant. He was an adept in 
our vernacular, and I likened the composition and construction of his sen- 
tences, as delivered, to the natural, simple, and expressive styles of Addi- 
son and Goldsmith. I greatly admired his elocution and diction, and I 
thought they could have been studied and pursued with much benefit by 
students of rhetoric in any efforts they should make to acquire excellence 
in public or professional speaking. 

David Paul Brown was of medium size. He had a dark complexion and 
brown, bright eyes. His style of oratory partook of a rich and ornate 
character, and his speeches contained similes, classical quotations, and 
figurative allusions of chaste and striking character. Very auimated in his 
mode of elocution, with a voice clear and melodious, " the beauties, blandish- 
ments, and graces of his oratory " appeared to be nothing more than mere 
unpremeditated and extemporaneous deliveries, " springing in freshness from 
a just appreciation of the subject." I looked upon Mr. Brown as occupy- 
ing a place among his coteraporaries peculiar to his own genius and to his 
poetic and ardent temperament. His style was quite inimitable, and 
as an orator simply he was not surpassed, and perhaps unequalled, 
by any of his compeers I quote from the private journal of a distinguished 
associate member of his bar: "He" (Mr. Biown) "stands in many 
things at the head of his profession, if eloquence be a test of professional 
strength or distinction; for eloquence he undoubtedly has, and of a high 
order. That godlike gift, which likens man to angels in its sublimest 
flights, is his to an extent unsurpassed by any one here in daily practice 
whom I have yet heard." Mr. Brown's habiliments on many occasions 
when I saw him, and indeed almost always as I have understood, displayed 
a peculiar taste. His costumes were not exactly in keeping with those of 
his fraternity, lacking as they did, the sober gravity of dress usually adopt- 
ed by distinguished legal advocates. 

Joseph R. Ingersoll was quite tall and spare in his build. He was an 
accomplished scholar aud a gentleman of most refined literary taste. He 
stood in the foremost ranks of his profession. His style of speaking, as I 
now remember it, partook of a deliberate, logical, and argumentative char- 
acter, having no marked peculiarities. His delivery and manner were al- 
ways attractive and impressive, and he was an advocate of admitted abil- 
ity, as well as an exceedingly well-read lawyer. I heard Mr. Ingersoll 
speak but very seldom, and I cannot, therefore, vouch for the entire accu- 
racy of the above description of his oratory. 

All the eminent persous above alluded to were men of originality. Their 
styles of oratory and modes of thought and expression had points of simili- 
tude no doubt, and yet, when regarded in the light of comparative indi- 
viduality, no positive identity in such particulars can truly be affirmed. 
Their styles aud methods in ail essential manifestations had distinguishing 
traits aud peculiarities, and, in referring to these celebrated speakers, my 
object has been to indulue in a retrospect of pre-existent ideas and memo- 
ries concerning them, with the view of determining whether I would really 
be willing to place any of them above Mr. Storrs as possessing superior 
excellencies as orators and advocates, and I have arrived at a negative 
conclusion. 

Had I anticipated more than half a century past, that at this present 
distant period, I would think it worth while to revert to the memories of 
these illustrious citizens of my native burgh, I would at that time have 



REMINISCENCES OF ALBANY. 23 

been more assiduous in my observations, as I then had ample opportunity. 
Hence, I might not now be entirely obnoxious to the primary artistic 
criticism laid down by the vicar's son, George Primrose, as narrated in 
"The Vicar of Wakefield," viz.: "Always to observe, that the picture 
might have been better, if the painter had taken more pains" To which 
I may, as perhaps appropriate in the preseut instance, subjoin an addendum 
as follows — " and if he had been more of an artist than he was." 

Mr. John C. Spencer was a son of Judge Ambrose Spencer, and stood 
among the foremost members of the bar. He, together with Messrs. 
Butler and Duer, revised the statutes of our State in 1828. He did not, 
however, become a permanent resident of Albany. 

I have heretofore adverted to the ability, learning, and character of my 
preceptor and friend Mr. Taber. 

Mr. Rhoades was regarded as one of the best, if not the best, of chan- 
cery lawyers in our midst. He was for many years a master in chancery, 
and on te.'ms of intimacy with Chancellor Walworth, who, at times, as was 
said, quite deferred to him on questions of practice. He was sociable, 
amiable, and lovable in private life. I knew him well. His law firm, 
Van Vechten & Rhoades, consisting of Mr. Ten Broeck Van Vechten 
and himself, was highly reputable and influential. I was not well enough 
acquainted with Mr. Van Vechten to be able now to describe his legal 
characteristics; but in after life I met him socially and admired his affa- 
bility and courtly manners. 

Mr. Butler was distinguished as well tor his great legal attainments as 
for his remarkable oratorical powers. He was rather under medium stature, 
but was an exceedingly handsome man. Many a time in my earlier days 
did 1 trudge up State Street hill to the old capitol (now, alas, no more !), 
to hear him deliver a political speech. He became United States attorney- 
general during Mr. Van Buren's administration, but did not return to Al- 
bany to reside, that I now remember. The next best speaker to him was 
the late John A. Dix; and it was, to me at least, an intellectual treat to 
hear either of these two distinguished men speak in public. 

Messrs. Dutcher & Harris were then doing the most extensive and lucra- 
tive law business in Albany. Mr. Dutcher was active, untiring, and ener- 
getic, and was regarded not only as an excellent practitioner but also as a 
souud and reliable lawyer. He applied himself, however, to the practical 
rather than to the theoretical or scientific branches of the profession. In 
private life he was one of the most sociable of men. Mr. Harris was an 
excellent and judicious counsellor, and was highly esteemed in all the rela- 
tions of social and public life. He became justice of the Supreme Court 
and judge of the Court of Appeals; and his reported decisions evince his 
judicial ability. He was also a delegate to our State Constitutional Con- 
vention of 1846, and subsequently an Uuited States senator. Neither mem- 
ber of the firm is now living. 

I will here remark that Hamilton Harris, one of your distinguished 
citizens (a younger brother of Judge Harris), became associated in his 
legal practice with Samuel Gr. Courtney about thirty years since, and both 
were soon after elected district attorneys of your county; Mr. Courtney 
succeeding Mr. Harris. In 1862, Mr. Courtney having removed to New 
York, where he still resides, became my law partner there, which continued 
until at or about the time when President Johnson appointed him United 
States district attorney for the southern district of New York, thus be- 



24 EEMINISCENCES OF ALBANY. 

coming the successor of his father-in-law, the late Daniel S. Dickinson, who 
held the office at the time of his decease. 

Messrs. Peckham at that time were just commencing the practice of law. 
The senior was a man of extraordinary natural endowments and acumen. 
He had not embraced the study of law in his earlier years, but he became 
a successful advocate, and a very difficult adversary to encounter and over- 
come. 

The juuior— father of Wheeler H. Peckham and Rufus W. Peckham, 
your late corporation counsel — was a man of the first order of legal ability, 
and possessed corresponding acquirements. His massive head and his tall, 
commanding figure at once inspired respect and consideration. It was but 
a brief period before he stood in the front rank of his profession. He had a 
keen and comprehensive intellect, which enabled him with comparative ease 
to solve the legal problems before him with great accuracy. As district 
attorney of Albany County, member of Congress, justice of the Supreme 
Court, and judge of the Court of Appeals, he has deservedly earned a name 
and reputation so elevated as to have become historical. We always 
mutually entertained the most frieudly relations, and his "memoriam" is 
ever within my easy reach. 

Messrs. Van Vechten & Davis were then a very reputable firm. The 
seniftf was elected mayor of the city, and was of an ancient Albauy lineage. 
Mr. Davis was noted for his accuracy in legal procedures, and according 
to my present recollection, he held the office of city attorney during his 
professional career. I believe he was only a little above middle age when 
he died. 

Mr. Wheaton was a lawyer of very decided ability. In jury cases, I do not 
think he had any superior at our bar, and he attained a high rank as a gen- 
eral lawyer and advocate. He was appointed and served as district attorney 
of the county of Albany, and wa s also elected and served for one terra in 
the Assembly, and would perhaps have been elected to Congress, only that 
certain complications connected with the anti-rent excitement, intervened. 
The latter days of his life were clouded with misfortune, and his sad and 
sudden death in Xew York excited much regret and sympathy. 

Mr. Henry occupied a high standing in the profession at that time, but 
I did not have the good fortune to become personally acquainted with him. 

Mr. Yates was a man possessing a distinguished intellect and endowed 
with more genius and mental versatility than any other member of the bar 
with whom I was acquainted. As counsellor and advocate at the bar or 
before a jury, he ranked among the highest in his capabilities But his 
genius and versatility retarded his permanent elevation. His indifference 
to renown, his social proclivities, and the almost entire absence of care and 
frugality in his career, made him what he was, viz.: John Van Xess 
Yates ! Kind and amiable, always ready and willing to aid, professionally 
or otherwise, those who needed aid, and that " without reward or the hope 
of reward." as the case might be, such were his characteristics. He once 
said to me, "I'm Jack at a pinch; when no one else is ready, they send 
for me." I shall ever remember his remarkable mental endowments, his 
many virtues, and his lovable disposition. In his early life he held the office 
of recorder of the city of Albany, and subsequently was appointed secre- 
tary of state. 

Gerrit Y. and Christopher Y. Lansing — brothers — were then lawyers of 
reputation and influence. I did not however, until a later date become ac- 
quainted with the sterling worth and character of these estimable Al- 



REMINISCENCES OF ALBANY. 25 

banians. Mr. G. Y. Lansing became a member of Congress. He was the 
father of my old fellow student, Charles B. Lansing. Mr. C. Y. Lansing 
was the father of your distinguished fellow-citizen, Abraham Lansing. 

Mr. Livingston was then quite a bright luminary in our legal constella- 
tion. His countenance was exceedingly prepossessing, and his features and 
expression conveyed to the mind of a beholder an assurance of his very de- 
cided intellectual attributes. He received the appointment and served as 
district attorney of the county of Albany, was elected member of our As- 
sembly for one or two terms, and was once chosen speaker of that body. 
As I now remember, he died in the prime of life. I knew him well, and 
now bear testimony to his kindness, suavity, and ability. 

Eldad Worcester, a lawyer then about middle age, is worthy of notice. 
He possessed a very acute understanding, and I believe was better ac- 
quainted with the practice of the Justices' Courts of the city and county 
of Albany, and of the Court of Common Pleas, than any other member of 
our bar. He quite thoroughly comprehended all the legal and technical 
points of the case; and if unsuccessful below, quite generally obtained a re- 
versal of the judgment upon certiorari or appeal. His business of that nature 
was more extensive than that of any other lawyer I knew. He could have 
made his mark in the higher branches of his profession had he been so in- 
clined. I thiuk however, he continued to practise in his peculiar special- 
ties during his professional career. 

Mr. Edwards, at that time, had acquired quite a large and successful 
practice. He, and Mr. Taber, were brothers-in-law, and hence I became 
well acquainted with him He was a sound and judicious lawyer; but, as 
I judged, more noted for his ability and learning as a counsellor, than for 
forensic or rhetorical attainments. His brother, the late Isaac Edwards, 
had not then obtained the legal celebrity which he subsequently merited, 
as the author of several standard works : one, " On Bills of Exchange and 
Promissory Notes;" another, 'On Factors and Brokers," aud a third "On 
Bailments." At the time of his decease, he was a professor in the Albany 
Law School. 

In or about 1833, Orland Meads, late president of the Albany Institute, 
became a law partner of James Edwards. Mr. Meads is with us no more, 
having expired within a brief period. His varied attainments, and his unblem- 
ished life and character, have been faithfully portrayed in the obituaries 
made public through the columns of the Argus, and other leading news- 
papers, and these " memoriams " meet with my sincere concurrence. 

Mr. Frothingham, at or about that time, became the law partner of Mr. 
C. Y. Lansing. Be possessed quite a philosophical and metaphysical turn 
of mind, and his acquirements in these departments of science were beyond 
those of any other lawyer of the period whom 1 knew, except perhaps, 
Mr. Dean. This peculiarity was then, and still is, rather an anomaly in the 
ranks of our profession. Lawyers, as a general rule, resemble mathema- 
ticians. Two units make a doublet, and two doublets a quadruple, and so 
on. Thus it is, that legal problems are generally capable of reasonable 
demonstration, when their solution is dictated by honesty of purpose, and in 
that spirit undertaken, either by members of the bar, or by judges on the 
bench. As we are enabled — by indulging in a sociological review of the 
effects of present combined social and governmental conditions and forces 
upon the various nationalities and peoples spread over our globe — clearly 
to discern, and realize the existence of a multitude of undesirable, inhar- 
monious, and infelicitous phases of human existence, I am rather inclined to 



26 EEMINISCENCES OP ALBANY. 

believe that a reversed rendering of Bryant's celebrated stanza would not 
now be entirely out of order, as follows : 

Error, prone on earth, dotb rise again, 
Man's fleeting hours, she sways as hers — 
Whilst Truth and Justice struck with pain, 
Seem helpless midst their worshipers ! 

The foregoing inverted stanza seems to indicate a despairing spirit, and 
thus as eliminating from our conceptions the desirable elements of buoyancy 
and hope regarding the ultimate prevalence of the principles of justice aud 
equity among the habitants of our globe. And yet, after all, the motto 
" nil desperandum 1 ' still presents itself to my mind, as I trust it may be to 
each of us, as one worthy of adoption and culture in our conjectures con- 
cerning the future probabilities of our race. And Hope has been left to us 
as our Mentor and guide, and if relied on will impart firmness to our purposes 
and steadfastness in our efforts, having in view the aim of present allevia- 
tions, to be supplemented perhaps by still more enlarged exertions for the 
final subversion of all unpleasurable conditions as pertaining to the destiny 
of our common humanity. Hence with such aids we are enabled to regard 
with a degree of complacency, if not with undisturbed patience, the so fre- 
quently varying, devious, contrary, adverse, and unexpected drifts aud 
currents connected with and iuflueuc.ng the passing events and occurrences 
of our daily existence. 

These ripples and waves of life's ocean 
Beating and breaking upon the shores of time ! 

And hence, so far as such untoward circumstances may produce our own 
afflictions and trials, and also to the extent we may have reason to conjecture 
that the world's denizens are injuriously affected by like calamities, we quite 
confidently rely upon the capabilities ot our race as the same may be fur- 
<£-ti-/u&. ther developed in the onward cansc of evolution, and entertain but little 
doubt that thereby in the near or remole future, our successors will be 
able to discover and adopt means and instruments of sufficient efficacy to 
insure and effect all desirable ameliorations. 

" The grandest glory of the past 
Is but a beam of promise cast, 
Like Iris on the cloud to show, 
How bright the future day shall glow." 

P. W. Cole. 

It has been rather by way of introduction than otherwise that I have 
expressed the foregoing hopes and aspirations, for I have much encourage- 
ment in the thought that, thus far at least, there has been preserved the 
means whereby, as Americans, if true to ourselves and our birthrights, we are 
empowered not only to preserve our liberties of thought and action to quite 
a considerab'e extent, but also in view of our example and precepts to 
render other nationalities now under surveillance desirous and anxious to 
acquire such great boons; and hence eventually to attain them by force of 
public sentiment, and of corresponding effort and action. And, as such 
means, I refer to "the noblest nurseries of humanity and liberty," viz.: the 
Judiciary systems and the Trial by Jury of those of our North American 
States that have adopted the doctrines of the common law as defined in 
their respective constitutions. I trust we may ever adhere to and faithfully 
cherish these two great and essential factors in our midst. Let us regard 



REMINISCENCES OF ALBANY. 27 

them, if maintained in their integrity and independence, as the palladiums, 
bulwarks, and defenders of our rights and liberties; and also as indispensa- 
ble aids to human advancement. These phrases may be classed as rather 
sophomoric; but even so, I trust their effectiveness may not thereby be 
weakened. Our State judiciaries taken collectively, as well those of a 
general as those of a limited jurisdiction, have been wisely instituted for the 
purposes, on the one hand, of protecting and defining our individual rights 
in a general sense, and particularly so as against legislative aggression, 
municipal and official autocracy, irresponsible and overbearing corporate 
associations, and the arrogance of individual wealth; and on the other, as 
the conservators of a rational system of social ideas, manners, and customs, 
and of our rights of person and property. 

I am persuaded, therefore, that our State courts and judges, as thus es- 
tablished, present spectacles of one of the grandest results ever attained by 
the human intellect in the course of its onward and striving progress. No 
matter that our judges and magistrates may not, in some instances, be just 
what we would like them to be — such is the fault of the incumbent, not of the 
judicial schema. The elective judiciary is the best. It has some objectionable 
features perhaps. Judges, under such a system, may iu some degree be in- 
fluenced by the political or individual power which placed them in office. 
They may be indued with peculiar theological, sociological, aud economic 
notious, and to some extent affected thereby, and they may have been 
nominated and elected, not so much because of their learning and ability, 
as by reason of political influences, personal or otherwise. And yet, all 
things considered, no reasonable foundation for complaint can be exhibited 
or sustained regarding the general personnel of our present State and mu- 
nicipal elective judiciaries. Under our former system of judicial appoint- 
ments for long periods by the executive, with the assent of legislative 
officials, the appointees were apt to become rather arbitrary and opiniona- 
tive; and there, also, came to arise something like au aristocracy between 
the bench and the leading members of the bar, which is scarcely perceptible 
iu the present system. 

To resume, — it is self-evident that problems regarding matters of a sub- 
jective character must be investigated and sought to be made manifest by 
means of data less reliable than those employed upon affairs embraced with- 
in the range of our objective conceptions. Half a century since, the great 
names of Hamilton, Maui ice, aud J. S. Mill had just appeared above the 
intellectual horizou, and the lesser lights of Whevvell, Mausell, Bain, and 
the Martineaus were not seen. The German philosophy to the ordinary 
scholar and general reader was something like a myth; and the French 
system was rather imperfectly comprehended. I never saw a copy of I'lato, 
the father of the ideal and subjective, in his vernacular, and could not have 
read it, if I had But now, thanks to a distinguished linguist, I can take 
from ray book-case a translation, and imbibe Platonic ideas as readily as 
though I was near their author, and heard him discourse in my own language, 
or was present at his lectures in the Academy, and heard them delivered 
in my native tongue. We had Bacon, Hobbes, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, 
Stewart, and Reid — all thinkers of the first-class. But the scholars, and 
readers mentioned were, to a great extent, oblivious of the enlarged scope 
and bearing of the Descartian (Cartesian) system of France, the Spinozistic 
of Holland, and the Kantian of Germany, and their respective outgrowths, 
culminating iu Cousin, Comte, Schopenhauer, aud Hartraann. The germs 
of thought disclosed by these noble schools of philosophy and metaphysics, 



28 REMINISCENCES OP ALBANY. 

produced their appropriate developments in the works of our modern sa- 
vants, J. S. Mill, Hamiltou, Maurice, Darwin, Mivart, Lewes, Tyndall, Hux- 
ley, Lubbock, and Spencer of the English school, and last, but not least, Fiske, 
Bovven, Porter, and McCosh, our own distinguished fellow citizens. Let 
us, therefore, by every honorable effort seek to subvert any and all insidious 
attempts to repress the current of free thought thus inaugurated by the 
learning, industry, and disinterestedness of these great men 

Present existing aids to the acquirement of subjective postulates, at the 
time alluded to, were then in part unknown; and, so far as known, quite in- 
accessible to ordinary students, who, therefore, when they sought light, 
were to a very considerable extent thrown back upon their own intuitive 
conceptions by a process of introspection. The ideas thus engendered were 
in a measure akin to those which some of our distinguished men attained by 
the flickering light of the blazing pine-knot; very crude in many respects, 
but still forming a reliable substratum upon which to rear the future results 
of their more cultured and cultivated attainments. 

But I have been insensibly digressing and must return. So, in conclu- 
sion, I add that besides Mr. Frothingham's acquirements as before men- 
tioned, he was also a lawyer of more than ordinary ability; and in private 
and social life bore an excellent character and was universally respected. 

VI. 

Although the late Gideon Hawley never engaged in the more active and 
public duties of his profession, it is quite appropriate that I should here 
make mention of his varied abilities and estimable character. At the time 
of his decease in 18 TO, he was one of the oldest members of our bar, having 
been admitted to practice in 1812. I was not aware when I wrote the 
foregoing sketch of Mr. Frothingham, that Mr. Hawley was probably 
more deeply versed in mental and metaphysical philosophy thau any other 
scholar in Albany, outside of professors or principals in our educational 
and legal institutions, who may have made such subjects matters of special 
study. In corroboration, I will quote the following passage from " Re- 
marks on Mr. Hawley's life and character, delivered by the late John V. 
L. Pruyn, Chancellor of the University, before the University Convocation 
at Albany in 1870" — a pamphlet copy of which was kiudly sent to me a 
short time since, by H. Q. Hawley, Esq., a sou of the deceased. The ex- 
tract is as follows : 

" Except in reports and documents of a public character, Mr. Hawley 
never appeared before the world as an author. In 1853, an essay by him 
on the ' Definitions of Knowledge and Truth, and on the primary division 
of Knowledge into its most general departments, with some suggestions on 
their secondary or subdivision,' was printed, but not published. * * It 
is arranged with all the method and clearness which marked everything 
the author did; and, as its title indicates, deals with subjects of the most 
profound and important nature. * * It marks by its ability aud depth 
of thought the almost perfect seclusion and retirement from the cares of 
life, which he had at an early -age resolved upon. With his dislike of 
notoriety, Mr. Hawley rarely alluded to this work, even among his intimate 
friends. A second edition of these essays was printed for the author in 
1856, under the same limitation as the first. The edition exteuds to 229 
large, closely printed octavo pages. Of this, as of the first, but few copies 
are known to be in existence." 



REMINISCENCES OF ALBANY. 29 

The followiug statement of events in Mr. Hawley's earlier life has in 
part been gathered from Mr. Pruyn's address and in part from historical 
data. Events of a later date as detailed, I became cognizant of during my 
residence in Albany. I think Mr. Hawley may very well be regarded as 
the principal founder of the present common school system of our State. In 
1813 he was appointed superintendent of common schools, and in 1814, 
secretary of the regents of the University, which position he retained until. 
1841, and in 1842 was appointed one of the regents and continued a mem- 
ber of the board until his decease. In 1818 he was elected trustee of the 
Albany Academy, and in 1821 was named as one of the trustees of the 
Albany Female Academy, in the act of incorporation passed that year. 
In 1845 he was appointed one of the executive committee of the State 
Normal School, and in 1846 became one of the regents of the Smithsonian 
Institute of Washington, which position he held for fifteen years, when he 
declined further services. 

Notwithstanding the various labors and the care and attention which he 
found necessary to bestow in the performance of the many duties and functions 
incident to the before-mentioned offices and positions, he at the same time 
pursued vocations connected with the legal profession and with other busi- 
ness affairs. He was appointed master of chancery in 1812, and sub- 
sequently injunction and taxing master, adding largely to his powers and 
duties, and he held these offices until 1830, when he declined a reappoint- 
ment. In 1819 he accepted the situation of secretary of the Albany Fire 
Insurance Company, which he held until 1853, when, in consequence of ill 
health, he resigned. He was also a director of the Mohawk and Hudson 
Railroad Company, and treasurer of the Utica and Schenectady Railroad 
Company. 

Mr. Hawley did not desire to engage in the litigious and exciting phases 
which occur in legal arenas. As Mr. Pruyn remarks, " The more quiet 
walks of the profession best suited his temperament, and he soon found his 
way into them." 

In 18o3 a series of the most important trusts that had ever before arisen 
in Albany were devolved upon him as the executor and trustee under the 
will of the late William James, who left a very large estate. A. portion 
of the will had been declared invalid by the Court of Errors, and hence the 
closing of this estate entailed duties and responsibilities on him which lasted 
to the termination of his business career. In the performance of such 
fiduciary duties he had the legal aid and counsel of the late James King 
(a son-in-law of Mr. James), an excellent lawyer, and a most estimable 
person, and also those of Mr. Pruyn, whose professional experience, and 
knowledge of our equitable jurisprudence relatiug to such matters were ex- 
tensive and thorough. 

It is now quite forty years since General Gansevoort and myself acted as 
solicitors in a suit commenced by us in the old Court of Chancery, for the 
purpose of obtaining a partition of the real estate of Barent Bleecker, of 
Albany, who had died intestate, leaving many heirs. The landed estate 
embraced in the bill of complaint and proceedings in that action, as was 
understood at the time, was the most extensive and valuable that had ever 
theretofore been actually divided among heirs in any equity suit in Albany. 
Mr. Hawley, Daniel Cady, of Johustown, a celebrated lawyer, and Andrew 
Ellison, Jr., a civil engineer, were appointed commissioners by Chancellor 
Walworth. 
Mr. Hawley, being near at hand, assumed the more active part in ar- 



BO EEMINISCENCES OF ALBANY. 

ranging the preliminary details necessary for drawing up the report. Mr. 
Cady, however, consulting and advising whenever requisite. Mr. Ellison 
attended almost exclusively to matters appertaining to surveys, maps, and 
field notes. From the data thus furnished, I drew up the commissioners' 
report, containing about 900 folios, made up mostly of descriptions and 
boundary lines derived from such data. After the report was approved by 
the general, it was engrossed and signed by the commissioners, and there- 
upon the final decree was entered. Pretty much all the Albany property 
had to be subdivided into smaller lots. Some of which it became necessary 
to give fronts as narrow as 12 1 feet in order to enable an actual and equi- 
table partition to be made among the numerous parties, many having di- 
verse interests — and I have heard no complaint of any irregularity in the 
proceedings, or of any inaccuracy in the description of the very many par- 
cels of land thus subdivided and partitioned, since the decree was entered, 
say forty years ago, the title to much of which has since changed hands. 

Mr. Hawley and his coadjutors are certainly entitled to commendation 
for the creditable manner in which they performed their important duties, 
and I think it would not be presuming too much to say, that the solicitors 
are not altogether without some credit for their pains in the matter. Of 
the chancellor who granted the decree, the commissioners and the solicitors 
engaged, I am, I believe, the only survivor. 

Having been acquainted with Mr. Hawley for many years, I am free to 
say, that from my observation of his character, from his excellent reputation 
in the community and among those who knew him intimately, from the per- 
formance of his many and varied public, official, and business duties and 
affairs, and the extent of his attainments, research, and learning, I regard 
him as presenting to our view a remarkable instance of a full, rounded life. 
Although some years have elapsed since his decease, no flaw has been dis- 
covered in the sphere of his labors, his usefulness, or in his deportment as a 
man and a citizen. His memory therefore is truly exhibited to us as one 
sans rcproche. 

Mr. Harman was quite tall and prepossessing in appearance, and culti- 
vated and refined in manners. He studied law in the office of James Mc- 
Kown, and subsequently became city attorney. He was also a member of 
Governor Marcy's staff. His connection with political affairs, his genial 
proclivities, and social tendencies, rather interfered with his acquiring a 
rank among the distinguished members of his profession. He, however, 
possessed very fair legal attainments, coupled with a considerable talent 
for forensic and popular oratory. 

Among the young men about his own age, then moving in the best social 
circles in Albany, with whom he was more or less on terms of intimacy, I 
can now recall only Augustus James, S. Visscher Talcott, James M. 
French, J. B. Van Schaick, John W. Ford, and the two young lawyers, 
Matthew Henry Webster and William Spencer. There were no doubt 
others of the same class, whom I do not now remember; but of those I 
have named none survive except Mr. Talcott. 

I was well acquainted with Mr. Harman for many years. He married 
the only daughter of Obadiah Van Benthuysen, of the firm of Packard & 
Van Benthuysen, who did the State printing for a long time. Mrs. 
Harman was a sister of the late Chas. Van Benthuysen. Mr. Harman 
died many years ago, leaving him surviving, his widow — since deceased — 
and his son, Charles D., an estimable man, now in middle life, and residing 
in Yokohama, Japan. 



KEMINISCENCES OF ALBANY. 31 

la this connection I will take occasion to recall to memory Anthony 
Blanchard, who at or about that time was surrogate of Albany County, 
an office he held for many years. He took quite a prominent position in 
political affairs, and was regarded as an excellent official. I do not recol- 
lect that he was ever much engaged in auy general legal practice. He 
possessed a tall and graceful figure, was social in manners, and highly 
esteemed. .He was not an old man, I think, wheu he died. T was well 
acquainted with him. 

Harmanus Bleecker, a name which inspires respect in the minds of all 
now living who knew him, was at that time somewhat above middle age. 
He possessed a sound judgment and engaging manners, and was a lawyer 
of very considerable repute. I became well acquainted with him as a fel- 
low-boarder in the Mansion House, some time previous to his receiving the 
appointment of U. S. minister to The Hague. His duties in that official 
capacity were well and faithfully performed. Whilst in Holland, he aban- 
doned his former role of bachelorship, and became the husband of an esti- 
mable lady, a native of that kingdom. In all departments of life, and in 
every way, Harmanus Bleecker was a man of sterling worth. He departed 
this life more than a quarter of a century since, universally respected and 
esteemed. 

Absalom Townsend, a brother of Doctor Townsend, and brother-in-law 
of Judge Jacob Lansing, at that time occupied a law office in the rear of 
Mr. Taber's. He had keen, dark eyes, which, together with his com- 
plexion, indicated just what he possessed, viz.: both will and intellect. 
He was a well-read lawyer, and I occasionally went into his office, and al- 
ways fouud him ready to respond to my inquhies upon questions of a legal 
character, with which I had been puzzled. He was a very kindly disposed 
person at heart, and bore an excellent reputation. At times, however, he 
was apt to become over-excited at occurrences which he deemed incom- 
patible with right and justice. He departed this life many years ago. 

In this connection I will mention Heman C. Whelpley, John B. South- 
wick, son of Solomon Southwick, Calvin Pepper, Jr., and Peter Carmi- 
chael. The first two were practising lawyers at that time; the others were 
only law students. Mr. Whelpley was one of the best practitioners in Al- 
bany, and agreeable and sociable in private life. He married the daughter 
of a well-known burgher, David P. Winne, who, when I first visited 
Albany, nearly sixty years ago, kept a retail dry goods store on the north- 
west corner of South Market and Hamilton Streets, opposite " The Eagle 
Tavern." 

I became a law partner of Mr. Whelpley in 1839, after returning from 
the west, where I had gone a year or so before, to settle some family in- 
terests. I remained with him until I resumed in 1840 my former connec- 
tion with General Gansevoort. Mr. Whelpley died in middle life. 

Mr. Southwick was one of the most brilliant and promising young law- 
yers of his day; but the expectations of his future renown remained unac- 
complished; and he departed this life when quite a young man. I was 
present in the justices' courts, wherein he and Calvin Pepper, wheu a 
student, were opposed to each other. The keen and satirical sallies of the 
former were quite offset and neutralized by the imperturbability and the 
clear and logical repartees of the latter. Peter Carmichael was " one of 
the best of fellows," as the saying went. Quick and ready for any emer- 
gency, he was never at a loss tor expedients to baffle his adversary. His 
genial disposition and social inclinations, however, interfered iu a measure 



32 REMINISCENCES OF ALBANY. 

with his pursuit of the course of study and discipline essential to attain 
elevation in our profession. They have all passed away from earth, except 
perhaps Mr. Pepper, of whom I have lost sight for many years. 

I also here make favorable mention of ex-judges James L'Amoureux, 
Samuel Cheever, Jacob Lansing, and Robert J. Hilton, then practising 
lawyers. Also of ex-justices of your justices' court, Daniel L. Van Ant- 
werp, Lorenzo B. Janes, Gerrit L. Dox, Calvin Pepper, Sr., and David 
Horsfoid. Dennis B. Gaffney. who occupied a high rank as a public speak- 
er, was appointed a justice of that court at a later date. Mr. Van Ant- 
werp was regarded as one of the best read lawyers ever filling that judicial 
office. 

John 0. Cole was then police justice, and although not a lawyer by pro- 
fession, performed his official duties with marked sagacity and judgment. 
I knew them all ! but none survive, only in memory ! * 

Samuel M. Woodruff was a law partner of Mr. Reynolds at that time. 
He was a sound and judicious lawyer, and much esteemed by those who 
knew him, and I am one of that class. He lost his life when a passenger 
on the ill-fated steamer "Arctic," which foundered in mid-ocean quite a 
quarter of a century since. 

It is quite proper I should refer to John L. Wendell, then reporter of 
the Supreme Court and Court of Errors. Mr. Wendell may appropriately 
be classed as a gentleman of the old school, and he was always quite 
dignified in his manner and courteous in his address. He was esteemed 
a sound and judicious lawyer; and, although not in active general practice 
at that period, frequently appeared as counsel in cases pending in the 
higher courts. His character as a jurist and citizen was above reproach, 
and his probity and sincerity were never impugned. He was a native of 
Washington County, and died some years ago, and, as I have been informed, 
in the city of New York at the residence of his son-in-law Robert B. 
Minturn. 

I will also here advert to John I. Burton, then a young and promising 
lawyer, not long in practice. I can scarcely class him among the promi- 
nent members of the bar, although he had acquired a very fair professional 
practice and reputation. He held the office of master in chancery about 
the time alluded to, and was quite active and well known in the political 
field. His father then held the office of deputy sheriff of the county Mr. 
Burton generally maintained a certain reserve of manner in his ordinary 
deportment, yet upon acquaintance he manifested a kind and sociable dis- 
position. In pursuing his professional vocation before the court, or at nisi 
prius he seldom deviated from the observance of a strictly decorous and 

* I cheerfully accede to the correction suggested by Mr. H. M. Cole in the fol- 
lowing communication which was published in The Argus I was not aware 
before that John O. Cole had ever been admitted to the bar. 
To Tlie Argus : 

I wish to thank Mr. Hill for his pleasing reminiscences of "old Albany," and 
at the same time to correct an error which forgetiulness or want of information 
has caused him to make. May 25th, he says : "John O. Cole was then police 
justice, and although not a lawyer by profession," etc., etc. John O. Cole was a 
lawyer by profession as well as printer by trade. He was admitted to the bar at 
the city of Utica in the year 1818. I mention this fact only to correct an impres- 
sion which may arise. Although Mr. Cole did not practise at the bar he was a 
member of it, as any person can see by a glance into the court calendar contain- 
ing the list of members of the bar of Albany County prior to 1878. 

H. M. Cole. 



REMINISCENCES OF ALBANY. 33 

respectful method of proceeding, both toward the court and his adversary. 
He departed this life about ten or fifteen years ago. 

William W. Dougherty was then a practising lawyer of excellent repute 
in his profession. He was the father of Addison Dougherty, and it was in 
his office where the meetiug occurred between Addison, Woodhouse, and 
myself, and where we framed the notices for the meeting to be" held at 
the Temperance House as before recited. 

And I will also refer to Welcome Esleeck, a lawyer, who as I should 
judge was about the same age, and who had been admitted about the same 
time as Mr. Dougherty. Mr. Esleeck then had quite a large and success- 
ful practice, and was regarded as very reliable authority in real estate 
matters. 

Andrew J. Colvin, Nicholas Hill, Jr., John V. L. Pruyn, Henry H. 
Martin, Hamilton W. Robinson, Charles M. Jenkins, and William Parme- 
lee were not then actively engaged in practice, except perhaps Mr. Hill, 
who, however, came to Albany at a later period. Their known ability and 
reputation as lawyers and scholars became matters of subsequent de- 
velopment. Messrs. Colvin, Martin, and Jenkins are the only survivors. 
I was personally acquainted with all the deceased, and am still so with the 
survivors. 

Thus I have sought to bring rather particularly to your notice, the more 
prominent members of the " Albany Bar," who were in active practice, and 
whom I knew, say half a century ago, or thereabout. They were more or 
less distinguished according to my ideas as stated, and they have all passed 
away. The places that once knew them will know them no more forever ! 

There were others of respectable standing, but who were not regarded as 
the leading lawyers of the clay, as far as I recollect. But I will be happy 
to make any correction when advised thereof, as if I have omitted any whom 
I knew, it is through inadvertence and not design. 

When commencing to practise, it occurred to me that a lawyer who 
could make his mark, or hold his own, at the Albany bar, would likewise 
be able to make his mark and hold his own in our profession anywhere. I 
I will note a few instances in corroboration. The late H. W. Robinson be- 
came a judge of the New York Common Pleas; the late Stephen D. Tan 
Schaick, a former partner of Mr. Reynolds, surrogate of New York; 
Hooper C Van Vorst, now judge of New York Superior Court; and 
Samuel Gr. Courtney, late United States district attorney; all of whom as 
lawyers attained their preliminary tuition, discipline, and experience at 
the Albany bar. The ability displayed by these respective incumbents, in 
the exercise and performance of the important legal and equitable functions 
appertaining to such elevated positions, remains unquestioned. 

VII. 

THE ALBANY BURGESSES CORPS. 

An omission to refer to this very excellent military organization, in de- 
tailing events connected with historical recollections of Albany would ap- 
pear almost as inappropriate as to request Hamlet to be played, with the 
part of Hamlet left out. Hence I remark, that the corps had been or- 
ganized, and was in successful operation at that time. Its members were 
composed of young Albanians of good character and repute. The A. B. 
C. was noted for its efficiency and discipline, and these characteristics have 

3 



34 REMINISCENCES OF ALBANY. 

ever since been displayed. John 0. Cole was its first superior officer. I 
never became a member of the corps, but subsequently joined " The 
Albany Military Association." 

OLD KNICKERBOCKER HALL. 

On the invitation card of the semi-centennial celebration of the Y. M. 
A. kindly presented to me by Oren A. Wilson, president, I recognized a 
representation of the familiar facade of " Knickerbocker Hall." This cir- 
cumstance brought to mind the many pleasant hours 1 experienced about 
the time referred to, within the walls of that good old structure, now no 
more. I could not, therefore, very well refrain from rendering a parting 
tribute to its memory, and hence the following lines, trusting your indul- 
gent readers may not regard them as entirely out of place : 

VALE 

TO KNICKERBOCKER HALL. 

Farewell to good old Knickerbocker Hall ! 
Its once gay scenes I readily recall— 
When age and youth assembled there, 
And joyous music filled the air — 
"When dance and mirth reigned on its floor, 
Long since departed, to return no more ! 
Improvement's hand cannot be stayed — 
Hence soon its walls in ruins laid — 
Now, vanished all, " like visions flown," 
To live, alas ! in memory alone ! 

THE BELLES OF ALBANY. 

I hope your readers may not be startled at the above announcement. 
My apology, if any be needed, must rest upon the circumstance, that coupled 
with remembrances of the "Old Hall," just recited, where music, dance, 
and mirth abounded, — were "joy was unconfiued" — came others connected 
with the many fair participants in those gay and festive scenes. But in de- 
tailing incidents of one's semi-autobiography of a long life it is difficult to 
keep within unobtrusive limits. Therefore it is but charitable, that we 
should recur to, and bear in mind the spirit of the adage of the great 
dramatist : 



And again - 



" When age is in, wit is out" 

So men grow garrulous, in wintry life- 



In youth, our thoughts, like prisms, 
Clothe female loveliness 
With rainbow hues ! 



And with such precautionary suggestions, I now recall to memory the 
representatives of the fair sex, whom I knew personally, or by sight, say 
two score and ten years ago ! and whom I looked upon as then being, and 
the younger, as soon to become, the reigning belles uf Albany; the blondes 
and the brunettes, as well of the ancient-indigenous, as of the more modern- 
exotic lineage. In my wanderings in earlier life, I saw and observed female 
beauties of other places, but none in my view, to outvie or surpass in com- 
parison those of Albany, — either in personal graces, amiable dispositions, 



REMINISCENCES OF ALBANY. 35 

refined manners, or cultured intellects. Of those last mentioned, so few- 
survive, that I fancy I can almost count them on the digits of one hand 
without repetition. And I think of the living as fair flowers of the gar- 
den thus far withstanding the blight of Autumn's withering blasts 1 

" The last roses of summer, left blooming alone, 
Their lovely companions all faded and gone !" 

THE NOTABLES. 

Among the notables in Albany at or about that time, all of whom I 
knew, I bring to mind Billy Winne, peunypost; John Meigs, constable; 
Benoni C. Allen, coroner; Jimmy Kane, gentleman; Herman Wyucoop, 
druggist; Barney Whipple, skipper; Sammy Streeter, a colored Methodist 
preacher, and Adam Blake, a colored man and a general appendant to 
public and private displays in this city. 

Billy Winne was ninety years of age when he died, and I imagine he was 
known to almost everybody in Albany at that time. He was generally 
seen with the accompaniments of a bundle of letters under his arm and a 
cigar between his lips, lighted or not as the case might be. He always had 
a pleasant greeting for every one, and died, as he had lived, at peace with 
all. His silhouette, cut from an Albany newspaper, and also a wood-cut 
of Sammy Streeter, are to be seen on the pages of our scrap book. 

Johnny Meigs was a constable of the city for many years; indeed, I can- 
not very well recall the time when he ceased to perform the functions of 
that important office. In 1828 when I, in common with all the boys that 
could go, went to see the remains of De Witt Clinton laid out in state in 
the double mansion, corner of North Pearl and Steuben Streets, Johnny 
Meigs was stationed in the reception-room to preserve decorum. We went 
in as near single file as we could, oa the right, filed around the coffin and 
so passed out. I wanted, boy like, to linger awhile so as to prolong my 
gaze on the features of the departed statesman; but the magisterial expres- 
sion on the countenance of the rotund official admonished us, that " we had 
better push along, keep moving," which we did. I knew Johnny Meigs for 
a long time. He was well advanced in years when he died, and I never 
heard any one speak ill of him. 

Benoni C. Allen, like Meigs, was generally in office. Sometimes coroner, 
at other times crier of the court, and I believe at one time constable. All 
the lawyers knew him, and he was quite generally known in the city. He 
also attained a good old age before his decease, and I never knew any ob- 
loquy cast upon his character. 

James Kane, familiarly known as " Jimmy Kane," was a gentleman of 
the old school, and had the refinement appropriate to such a character. He 
was a brother of Oliver Kane, of Kane's Walk on South Pearl Street. He 
had retired from business at that time, was a bachelor, and was remai'ked 
for a certain peculiarity, which consisted in his carrying an umbrella under 
his arm pretty much on all occasions, whether or not the existing or an- 
ticipated rays of Sol, or the like drippings of Pluvius, required the exercise 
of such precautionary procedure. He departed this life many years since. 

Herman Wyucoop, a native Albanian, kept a drug store on North Mar- 
ket Street, near Maiden Lane. He possessed the distrust against innova- 
tions peculiar to the ancient burghers, from one of whom he descended. 
He did not like the canals, and was no friend to railroads. However, he 



rfb REMINISCENCES OF ALBANY. 

was correct in one of his objections, as these improvements did in fact quite 
revolutionize the character and mode of transacting business in his native 
burgh. He also lived to attain a good old age, and in a quiet and inoffen- 
sive way. 

Barney (Barnum) Whipple, a skipper, i. e. captain of a North River 
sloop, was a man sui generis, of his own kind. There was hardly any Al- 
banian that did not know Barney Whipple. He and Stephen Ableman 
were two of the largest men in Albany. The latter, a builder by occupa- 
tion, did not belie his name; for as I was credibly informed, on one oc- 
casion, when he was at work on a one-story frame structure, of no incon- 
siderable size, it fell in some way and caught him, and he sustained its 
weight until assistance came to his relief. I was quite well acquainted with 
both these men. There is a very good anecdote related of Barney, prob- 
ably, however, well known to most of your readers. He was not a man 
possessed of the most devout sentiments; so at the time of the revivals in 
the Green Street Baptist Church, about the period I have alluded to, one 
of the elders requested Barney to take a place on the anxious seat, which 
he did. Sometime after the exhortations had proceeded, the elder ap- 
proached him, and said: "Brother Whipple, do you feel any change?" 
Barney thereupon put his hand in his pocket, as if searching for money, 
then drawing it out empty, and looking the elder in the face, naively an- 
swered, " Nary red !" 

About forty years ago when the water supply for Albany was agitated, 
I took an interest in the matter, and if I mistake not, made some allusions 
in the public prints as to the possibility of obtaining such supply by tapping 
the Mohawk at Cohoes. I remember speaking to George W. Carpenter 
on the subject. He was officially interested in the matter at that time, ac- 
cording to my present recollection. And as I understood from him, the 
plan contemplated was to obtain the supply from the Patroon's Creek, 
which was supposed to be, and probably was sufficient at that time. 
Shortly afterwards in a conversation with Barney, he mentioned that some 
years before he had broached the same subject to the city authorities. 
Therefore if there were any merit in the suggestion, it rightfully belongs to 
him — although I did not know that fact at the time I interested myself 
as stated. He also was well strickeu in years when he died. 

I was, at or about the time last mentioned, more directly interested in 
another contemplated improvement, which consisted of a proposed change 
of the route of the Mohawk and Hudson Railroad. The plan of the con- 
templated change bisected at North Pearl Street some property of mine, 
fronting on Broadway, opposite the former residence of the Young Patroon. 
I employed the late Henry Rector, architect of the State Hall, to make 
another survey with the view of having the route, if feasible, pass along the 
side of the canal beyond the city line, and thence diverging westerly over 
or under the Watervliet turnpike up and through the Tivoli Hollow, and 
so reach the track on the high land. The Albany Northern Railroad sub- 
sequently adopted a portion of the route above described. But on consulta- 
tion with the late George Law, the then president, and Julius W. Adams, the 
engineer (afterward colonel of the First Regiment of Long Island Volun- 
teers in our civil war), Mr. Rector stated to me that it would be useless to in- 
cur such expense, as the route' (the same as now existing) had, as he thought, 
been positively determined upon. I understood at the time, that some 
beneficial concessions to the company on that account were to be made by 
the Young Patroon, then occupying the Manor House, regarding the right 



REMINISCENCES OP ALBANY. 37 

of way over the 2,500 acre tract of Manor land adjoining the city, thereby 
greatly lessening the expense and probable embarrassments and delays 
consequent upon the adoption of the route between the canal and Manor 
House as I proposed. I cannot vouch for the accuracy of my statements 
regarding such concessions, the documents in existence will no doubt show 
how that matter stands. There may have been engineering difficulties in 
the way; but I never have been persuaded that a better route than the 
present could not have been adopted and perfected. My disapproval of the 
present route is evidenced by the reported cases arising upon my applica- 
tion for relief against the company, the legal proceedings concerning which 
continued in court until a few weeks before I left Albany in 1855. At 
that time, the matter was arranged between my friends J. V. L. Pruyn, 
treasurer, E. C. Mcintosh, president, and myself, as will appear from my 
deed to the company now on record. 

I cannot positively aver that such change of route is a miscalculation and 
mistake. But even if so conceded to be, we must be charitable, and re- 
member that present generations when in the ascending node of human de- 
velopment, come to understand and thus to endure the unpleasant difficul- 
ties and embarrassments arising from the delusions, selfishness, or mismanage- 
ment of antecedent generations, more or less remote; and so in the de- 
scending node the then existing communities are apt to recur to the beneficial 
acts and proceedings of the past, and mourn prevailing degeneracies. Thus 
illustrating Hume's postulate, that our race has its zeniths and its nadirs. 
We reach the culminating point, and thence retrograde quite to the original 
plane of ignorance and superstition. The lower plateau being reached, a 
period of stagnation ensues, and slowly mankind again start on their up- 
ward progress. As an illustration we can advert to the mental illumination 
and advance exhibited in many peoples of our Aryan race, at and about 
the Christian era. The intellectual light then apparent became clouded 
and eclipsed a few centuries thereafter, and mental darkness and degrada- 
tion prevailed for many ages, accompanied with an almost total ignorance 
and disregard of individual rights and liberties. Human emancipation, re- 
garded both in meutal and social aspects, began to appear about the close 
of the fifteenth century, and it has been making some progress ever since. 
I refer more particularly to the Caucasian or white race of men. 

In a theological point of view, however, the millennium will accomplish 
on our globe a perfect readjustment and harmony of the moral, social, in- 
tellectual, and physical conditions of mankind. 

Shelley's theory of regeneration, to which I now refer, was based entirely 
upon astronomical and solar influences. He observes : 

"When man with changeless nature coalescing — 
Will undertake regeneration's work — 
When its ungenial poles no longer point 
To the red and baleful sun, 
That twinkles faintly there." 

Alluding to the north star, to which the north pole points, although in 
an oblique direction from the south pole, so that a straight line from the 
latter to the polar star does not coalesce with a like straight line thereto 
from the former. Shelley's ideas are, that such obliquity will gradually di- 
minish, until the poles of the equator will coincide with those of the ecliptic, 
which now they do not, and he infers that present obliquities in the mental, 
social, moral, and physical conditions of mankind will also correspondingly 



38 REMINISCENCES OF ALBANY. 

disappear. He imagines there is a close relation between stellar and terres- 
trial phenomena and those of humanity, and that the obliquity of the poles 
produces corresponding human obliquities. At least such are my views of 
his philosophy. But 1 fear there exist physical conformations on the sur- 
face of our globe which present scientific difficulties in the way of such 
coincidences, so much counted upon by Shelley. Hence, we may have to 
await the appearance of the millennium, and with it, the hope of the re- 
production of " the Grolden Age " of our race, as described by Hesiod. 

VIII. 

Sammy Streeter lived on Arbor Hill in his declining years. He was 
quite a pious man, belonged to the Methodist persuasion, and was noted 
for his many prayers and exhortations at Methodist meetings and else- 
where. His oratory was of a fervent and fluent description, and he often 
directed his supplication toward the spiritual welfare " ob de people of dis 
yer Arbor Hill." He lived to become quite an old man, and no blot or 
stain, that I am aware of, dims the character of Sammy Streeter. 

The following obituary was published in one of the Albany newspapers 
at the time of his decease many years ago : 

" Death of Samuel Streeter This ag;d and much respected colored 
preacher, who has resided in this city for upward of half a century, died at 
his residence on Arbor Hill . He was a good and kind man, much respected 
by not only the congregation over which he presided, but by our citizens 
generally, and particularly by his neighbors. His honesty and integrity 
were proverbial. He labored late and early to support himself and family 
until after old age had bent his form and weakened his body. * * * 
He was truly a good man and exemplary citizen, one whose death will be 
mourned." 

His funeral took place at the Second Street Mission House, Arbor Hill, 
and he was in the 84th year of his age when he died. 

Adam Blake also lived on Arbor Hill, and was in his prime at that time, 
and almost everyone knew him. For many years his occupation was that 
of a sort of & factotum and assistant malt re des ceremonies on pretty much all 
occasions of public display, and at private parties and entertainments in 
the city. On the visit and public reception of La Fayette at Albany, in 
1824, Adam had the honor of holding an umbrella over the head of that 
distinguished patriot and soldier to shield him from the sun as he moved 
along in the procession in an open barouche. Adam departed this life 
about thirty years ago, being then well advanced in years. 

I will here advert to Richard M. Meigs, who was the oldest established 
retail druggist I knew, and who was a great friend of the Marvins, and a 
man of unblemished reputation. His store was situate on the southeast 
corner of South Market and Hudson Streets. I well remember his being 
a visitor at the classical school on John Street, of Doctor Wilson (James, 
I think) and his son. It was on an occasion when exercises of proficiency 
were recited by the pupils, of whom I was one. Mr. Meigs died only a 
short time since, having run up into the nineties. 

I will also allude to my old preceptor, Doctor Wilson, who was of Scot- 
tish birth, as I believe, an ordained minister of the Covenanter persuasion. 
He possessed a tall and powerfully built frame, and was a man of extensive 
erudition, and of deep religious convictions. I was told he could converse 
off-hand in the Latin language. During my course of study in his school, 



REMINISCENCES OF ALBANY. 39 

I went to hear hira preach in the large frame edifice on the corner of 
Orange and North Pearl Streets; and as far as I was then able to judge, 
I placed him in the foremost rank of theologians, viewed in the light as well 
of his acknowledged attainments and learning as of his sincerity of purpose, 
earnestness of manner, and fluency and force of expression. In his declin- 
ing years, as I understand, it became necessary for him to have the tender 
care and supervision of his relatives. He has been dead many years. 

THE STEAMBOATS. 

My first visit to New York from Philadelphia, my native city, was made 
with my father in the spring or summer of 1823 or '4. The route was by 
steamboat on the Delaware from Philadelphia to Trenton, thence by stages 
to New Brunswick, thence by steamboat to New York. We stopped at a 
hotel on the corner of Broad and Pearl Streets, near the Battery, kept by 
A. G. Moody, fare one dollar per day for transient guests. I recall my 
recollections of Battery Park at evening, lighted with oil lamps in lanterns 
similar in shape to the present, and mouuted on round wooden posts. The 
buildings in the neighborhood were principally private dwellings, aud the 
park was well thronged with visitors. Some seated on wooden benches 
under and about the many shade trees there, and others sauntering along the 
walks and promenade facing the water, enjoying the sea breeze and ocean 
view; and I believe Castle Garden was open as a place of public resort. 

We went across the East River in a horse-boat to the then village of 
Brooklyn, and landed at the foot of Fulton Street, then the Jamaica turnpike, 
and passing up the hill and along adjacent streets or roads, its appearance 
as a village was realized. Large and small frame houses, surrounded with 
commodious grounds and gardens, were visible en both sides wherever we 
went, and such are my remembrances of Brooklyn at that time, now a city 
of over 600,000 inhabitants, aud destined, most likely, to become the most 
populous city of our continent. 

In 1825, when I first visited Albany, en route from Philadelphia, we 
stopped at the "Northern Hotel," corner of West and Cortlandt Streets, 
yet standing. It was then kept by Col. Wm. Harrison, who subsequently, 
and during the Crystal Palace exhibition, was killed by the pole of an 
omnibus running against him while crossing Broadway. I was an invalid 
whilst at the hotel, and had to be carried to the steamboat " Olive 
Branch," such was the name of the boat, as I believe, and her landing was 
opposite the hotel. We left the dock at five o'clock, p. m., and reached Al- 
bany at 1 p. m. next day. Returning home some months after, we left 
Albany in the " Chancellor Livingston." There were also the steamboats 
Swiftsure and Commerce then plying between New York and Albany, 
if my memory serves me rightly. Subsequently came the " Chief Justice 
Marshall," named in honor of United States Chief Justice Marshall, because 
he had decided our State law to be invalid, which granted exclusive steam 
navigation privileges on the North River to Fulton and Livingston. Next 
came the " New Philadelphia," then a succession of steamboats which, up 
to 1855, I well knew, and I either travelled upon or was on board of all 
them except Burden's double cigar-shaped boat, which on its first voyage 
was wrecked a few miles below Albany. I remember as regular boats 
between New York and Albany, the " De Witt Clinton," " Diamond," 
"Henry Eckford," "Constitution," "Constellation," "North America," 
"South America," "Swallow," "Isaac Newton," " St. John," "Dean 



40 REMINISCENCES OF ALBANY. 

Richmond," and the "Drew." There were others no doubt which I can- 
not now remember. The two last named, however, may have come on 
the river at a date later than 1855. 

THE FIRE INSURANCE COMPANIES AND HOTELS. 

We had in Albany at or about that time, three fire insurance companies : 
The Albany, Jacob H. Ten Eyck, president, Gideon Hawley, secretary; 
The Firemen's, James Stevenson, president, Richard Van Rensselaer, sec- 
retary; The Mutual, Erastus Corning, president, E. V. Joice, secretary. 

The Mohawk and Hudson Railroad was then in operation from Albany 
to Schenectady. At Albany it was reached at the foot of an inclined 
plane, located near the dividing line between Albany and the town of 
Bethlehem. ' 

The principal hotels then in operation were " Congress Hall," opposite 
the capitol grounds, Matthew Gregory, proprietor or owner; the "American 
Hotel," on State Street, above Pearl; " Bements Hotel," 82 State Street; 
"Franklin House," 136 State Street; "Western Hotel," 140 State Street; 
" Columbian and National Hotel," 517 South Market Street; "The Fort 
Orange Hotel," on South Market Street, opposite present steamboat land- 
ing, Elisha Foot, proprietor; the " Eagle Tavern," southwest corner of 
South Market and Hamilton Streets, Mr. Cruttenden, proprietor, usually 
called '' mine host of the Eagle;" the " Exchange Hotel," northeast corner of 
last above named streets, Amnion Rasey, proprietor; the " Mansion House," 
Mrs. Rockwell, proprietress or owner, and the " City Hotel," proprietor's 
name forgotten, both situate on North Market Street, between State Street 
and Maiden Lane; the " Temperance House," Mr Safford, proprietor, where 
the events before detailed occurred December 1, 1833, as in notice published 
the preceding day; "Eagle Street Hotel," corner Eagle and Daniels 
Streets. There were al.-o several country taverns, so called, on the hill, also 
a hotel on Washington and Swan Streets culled "The La Fayette House;" 
also one or more on South Pearl Street, and several on North Mar- 
ket Street, one on the corner of Orange Street, another, the " Fifth Ward 
Hotel," south of Lumber Street, and another, between Quackenbush and 
Spencer Streets, kept by Samuel Payn, father of Doctor Payn, and the 
last, in the Colonie, of which Robert Dunbar, familiarly known as " Bobby 
Dunbar," was proprietor. 

CONCLUSION. 

Among the sterling Albanians it was my privilege to have known when 
starting in active life, and to whom I am under many obligations, I will 
name Richard Marvin, James Maher, Peter Gansevoort, James Stevenson, 
James McNaughton, Edwin Croswell, Erastus Corning, and Amasa J. 
Parker. The last named yet survives, and in adverting to the living, I am 
admonished by the advice of the poet, in refraining from efforts " to gild 
refined gold." 

Mr. Maher was a former alderman of the city and state librarian, and 
father-in-law of Peter Cagger. To Mr. Maher's good offices on my behalf 
I owed my appointment of deputy clerk of the Senate in 1835, by John F. 
Bacon, clerk. Mr. Stevenson was a former mayor of the city, and an in- 
timate friend of Peter Gansevoort, through whom I became acquainted 



REMINISCENCES OF ALBANY. 41 

with him. I will not here further allude to or enlarge upon the many vir- 
tues, the good deeds, and worthy lives of these excellent men, but content 
myself by applying Lougfellow's stanza to the memories of the departed : 

"Lives of great men all remind us 

We can make our own sublime, 
And departing, leave behind us 

Footpriuts on the sands of time; 
Footprints, that perchance another 

Sailing on life's troubled main, 
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother 

Seeing, shall take heart again." 

In conclusion, I embrace this opportunity of acknowledging my obliga- 
tions to Dr. Woodhouse and to your fellow-citizens William Lacy, William 
H. Hale, and Nathan Hawley, for assistance from time to time rendered 
in my endeavors to attain a reasonable amount of accuracy relating to 
many of the foregoing details. Having no historical or documentary data 
for convenient reference, running back say half a century or so, I was en- 
abled through their recollections and investigations to secure the desired 
information. 

And now, Mr. Editor, the time has arrived for me to say farewell to 
your readers, indulging the hope that though, perhaps, I have " tired their 
patience, I have not altogether misled their sense," and to add that I ac- 
company such adieu with my sincere wishes for the continuing prosperity 
of " The Good Old City of Albany." 



FINIS. 



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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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